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^ J.(?.^ 



HISTORY OF 

WATERBU R Y 



ANU THE 



NAUGATUCK VALLEY 
CONNECTICUT 



By WM. J. PAPE 

tditor of the Waterhurv Rerublican 



ILLUSTRATED 



VOLUME 



CHICAGO NEW YORK 

THE S. .1. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 
1918 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 
A BIRDSEYE \IE\V 

IN TWENTV-FJVK VICARS WATKKDl Jin' HAS AHOfT CNOWN OPT OF K.\0VV1J-;1KU-; OF 
ITS OLD SELF — ITS INDUSTRIAr, SUCCESS THE WORK OF MASTERFUL MINDS — 
HER FAME IN METAL MAKING NOW WORLD-WIDE — INTENSITY OF PRODUC- 
TION IN NAl'GATl'CK VALLEY HARDLY EOUALEI) IN ANY OTHER LIKE EXTENT 
OF TERRITORY IN THE COUNTRY I 

ClIAI'l'lCR II 

THE OFFICIAL CilRoXICLES OF Till". CFIA' ( )!• WATERISURY 

THE FIGHT FOR CONSOLIDATION OF CITY. TOWN AND SCIInol. ( ,0\TCKN M EN T 

TAXATION CHANGES IN A nUAKTER CICNTUR\ TH IC TAX RAILS AND THE 

GRAND LISTS IIIE r.llNDED DICI'.T STRICET I M FRI )\i:MENT CITY HALL, 

WATER, SCHOOL AND SiCWAIMC I'.OND ISSUIIS CITY OIFUIALS SINCE 1 803 

ITS LEGISLATORS MUIl-AL AID SOCHCTY PoLICIC DICI'ARTMENT START OF 

THE DETI'.CTIVE SERVICE — THE (ONSTABUI.AR'i- I-ORi. E — llnw THE DEPART- 
MENT WORKS — TFIE TROLLEY STRIKE OF ICjOT, — SKETCHES OF FORMER CHIEF 

EGAN AND SUPERINTENDENT GEORGE M. PEACH — THE FIRE DICPARTMENT 

ITS GROWTH IN NIIMPERS AND EQUIPMENT — Till-: FIRE OF I902 — RECORD OF 

nic, FIRES SINCE 1893 — THE HEALTH DEPARTMICNT 4 

CHAPTER HI 
THE CrrV'S PHYSICAL PROBLEMS AND CHANGES 

ITS SITE NOT IDEAL — RECONSTRUCTION OF LEADING THOROUGHFARES — ITS NEW 

BRIDGES THE WATER SYSTEM AND THE PUILDING OF ITS GREAT CHAIN OF 

RESERVOIRS THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL PLANT NOT VET COMPLETED LONG 

LITIGATION WITH 1-ACTORV OWNERS — SEWER CONSTRUCTION OF A QUARTER 

CENTURY THE NAUGATUCK RIVER CONSERVATION PLAN TIIIC WATICRPURY- 

DERISY BARGE CANAL PROJECT 3O 

CHAF'TER R' 
PUBLIC BUILDINGS 

OLD CITY HALL AND ITS AUDITORIUM MAYOR ELTON REMODELS Pl'ILDINC ITS 

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE — NEW BUILDING PROJECTED BONDS VOTED AND COM- 



CONTENTS 

PETITION ENDS IN SELECTION OF CASS GILBERT AS ARCHITECT — DESCRIPTION 

COST — THE DEDICATION EXERCISES IN "OLD HOME" WEEK — SALE OF THE 

OLD CITY HALL PROPERTY THE VVATERIiURY COURTHOUSE DESCRIPTION 

THE ACUTATION FOR A FEDERAL BUILDING HOW ITS SITE WAS SELECTED 

CONSTRUCTION^UESCRIPTION 42 



CHAPTER V 
PARKS AND CEMETERIES 

FIRST MAP OF HAMILTON PARK — ENLARGING THE CITY's HOLDINGS — LAND- 
SCAPE WORK DRAINAGE FOR PONDS — ANNUAL TAX PROVIDES FOR PARK 

IMPROVEMENTS — CHASE PARK CREATED SWIMMING POOL A BIG SUCCESS 

ATHLETIC FIELD EQUIPPED — PLAYGROUNDS BOUGHT FOR DIl'FERENT SEC- 
TIONS OF CITY — THE MUNICIPAL FIELD DAYS — THE LATER HISTORY OF THE 

GREEN — THE CLOCK AND THE FLAGSTAFF — THE FRANKLIN STATUE THE 

city's CEMETERIES 52 

CHAPTER VI 
SCHOOLS, LH'.RARV AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

growth IN StllOOL I'OPULATION TWO IMPORTANT CHANGES IN SCHOOL GOV- 
ERNMENT — ITS NEW MODEL HIGH AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL STRUCTURES 

OUTSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS INCLUDia) EVENING SCHOOLS MEDICAL IN- 
SPECTION — MANUAL TRAINING — PLAYGROUNDS — SALESMANSHIP SCHOOL 

CONTINUATION SCHOOL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL — VALUE AND EXTENT OF 

SCHOOL PROPERTY — PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS — DAVID C. PORTER 
BEQUEST — LIBRARY AND MATTATUCK HISTORICAL SOCIETY 6l 

CHAPTER \TI 
TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION . 

THREE NOTABLE INDUSTRIAL TRIUMPHS — ELIMINATION OF GRADE CROSSINGS 

ERECTION OF THE UNION DEPOT — DOUBLE-TRACKING THE ROADS ENTERING 
WATERBURY — COST OF IMPROVEMENTS MADE IN A DECADE IN WATERBURY'S 
TERMINALS — RAMIFICATION OF THE TROLLEY SYSTEM — ITS GROWTH FROM 

HORSE CAR LINE TO THE NETWORK OF PRESENT EXTENSIONS THE GREEN 

LINE — TELEGRAPH, TELEPHONE AND EXPRESS 92 

CHAPTER \ HI 
T\]K PROTESTANT CHCRCIHCS OI' WATERP.URY, 1892-1917 

THE FIRST CHURCH — THE SECOND. THIRD AND BUNKER HILL CHURril, CONGRE- 
GATIONAL — ITALIAN CONGREGATIONAL — ST. JOHN's AND TRINITY EPI.SCOPAL 

— .ST. Paul's, waterville — first m. e., grace, st. paul's, south and 

WE.ST SIDE hill M. E. — FIRST, SECOND AND GRACE BAPTIST GERMAN AND 

SWEDISH LUTHERAN CHURrilluS — ADVENT CHRI.'^TIAN — BUCK's HILL, UNION, 
WATERVILLE CHAPELS ; IO7 



CONTENTS . V 

CHAPTER IX 
THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES OE WATERUURY 

CATIIOLrc I'CJPUI.ATIUN i:V PAUISIIES IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ST. PAT- 
RICK'S ITS DKDICATKiN SACKED HEART ST. ANN"S ST. CICCILI A^ST. 

FRANCIS XAVIER — ST. JOSEPH'S — ST. THOMAS — OUR LADV OE I.OURUES — ST. 
MARGARET'S — ULESSED SACRAMENT — ST. MICHAEL'S — ST. STANISLAUS — CON- 
vents and schools holy name .sotletv — sketches of monsujnor 

slocum and father curtin — m'gunicv day 122 

CHARTER X 
CIVIC ARCHITECTURE OE A nUAR-l'ER CENTUR\" 

r.UCKINGHAM BUILDING, U.MON I>i:i'(.)r, ( ITY HALL, ( HASIC OFITCE P.UILDING 

.\ND W.VTERPURY CLUI; LINCIILiNJ lU ll.DI.M; PLANNia> l;Y FAMOUS NEW 

VOUK ARCHI'IECTS COURTHOUSE PLANNED l!Y \VILIK1,D E. GKKUiS, ONE OF 

MOST l;IC,\UTIFUL STRUcrURlCS IN' NIAV ENiiL.\Nl:) l'IN|.; KUSIXICSS lU.OCKS 

AND RICSIliENl ES, SUPl.Kl; W'dKK OI'" I.O( AL ARCHITECTS Till'. VARIOUS AR(.HI- 

TECTURAL PERIODS AND lU'lI. DINGS 11 1 A I I I.I.USTRAIT-; TIll'.M \V A'l'lCRPUKN 's 

HOUSING PROIU.ICM 136 

CHARTER XI 
BANKING AND I.XSURANCE 

CAPIT.VL AND SURPLl'S OF ALL \VATERl:UKV l;ANK.S DEPOSITS ,\ E'lVE YE.\R 

RECORD OF CLi:.\RINGS THE: YI'.AR I()I(l A P..SNNER PI-:RU)D VOK D1''.P( >SITORS 

IN SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS MONICY LARi;i-,LS- INM-Sllil L\ MORrGAGI-.S ON 

WATERBURY RE.\L ESTATE HISTOR'l' OF ALL Till'. HANKS AND IRUST COM- 
PANIES LIST OF OFFICIALS, P.\ST AND PUESI-.X'I' RECENT INSL:RANCE 

HISTORY • . . 146 

CHARTER Nil 
HISTORY OE \\'A'|-ER1'.URY'S HOTELS 

THE FIRE OF Ii)02 F0LL0\V1:D I'.Y AN I-.K\ < IF llnrEL CON STRUC I'lON THE CON- 

NECTICl'T HOTEL i:\CII.\NGI- IluTEL ENLARGED RAISING THE Fl'ND FOR 

THE ELTON THE SUBSCRIBERS ITS FIRST YEAR's RECORD DESCRIPTION 

STARTING THE "IDEAL TOUr" — THE KINGSBURY AND HODSON'S — MANY 
HOTELS SPRING UP DURINt; MUNITION-MAKING PERIOD I 5f> 

CHAPTER XIII 
THE HOSPITALS OE WATERBURY 

WATERBURY HOSPITAL IN ITS OLD QUARTERS THE NEED OF A NEW BUILDING 

CONTRIBUTIONS POUR IN AND NEW IIOSPIT.\L DEDICATED DONORS OF THE 



CONTENTS 

BUILDING FUND OFFICERS GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS THE MEDICAL 

BOARD ST. MARV'S HOSPITAL, THE INSPIRATION OF MONSIGNOR SLOCUM 

ITS DEDICATION — THE MEDICAL BOARD l6l 



CHAPTER XIV 
THE ORGANIZATION OF CHARITY 

ORGANIZATION OF THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES CHANGE IN OFFICIALS SOCIAL 

SERVICE CLUB AND ITS WORK AIDING THE RED CROSS — THE BUILDING OF 

LINCOLN HOUSE — THE ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS LEAGUE STARTING THE OPEN- 
AIR SCHOOL — RECORDS OF TWO YEARS — ITS OFFICIALS — FIRST "UNITED 

charities" — ^DAY NURSERY — THE SOUTHMAYD HOME KING's DAUGHTERS 

BABY WELFARE STATION THE QUEEN's DAUGHTERS DAUGHTERS OF 

AMERICA — SALVATION ARMY 167 

CHAPTER X\' 
RENTEW OF WATERBURY'S iMANUFACTURES 

THE CENTER OF THE BRASS INDUSTRY — ITS PERCENTAGE OF OUTPUT BY DECADES 

CENSUS FIGURES SHOW STRANGE CHANGES PRODUCTION OF NEEDLES, 

PINS, HOOKS AND EYES NUMBER AND WAGES OF WORKERS IN WATERBURY 

FACTORIES SINCE 1 899 — CENSUS FIGURES ON VALUE OF WATERBURY PROD- 

ITCTS WHAT WATERBURY MANUFACTURES CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 

SEX OF WAGE EARNERS — THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION LAW FACTORY 

CONSTRUCTION SINCE I9OO 180 

CHAPTER XVI 
THE LARGER BRASS COMPANIES 

THE CHARTER OF 1893 ^"^"^W CONSOLIDATION PERFECTED — ITS FIRST BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS CHANGES TO AN OPERATING COMPANY — PURCHASES THE BUF- 
FALO PLANT — ITS BUILDINGS IN WATERBURY, TORRINGTON, ANSONIA, 
KENOSHA AND BUFFALO NEW CONSTRUCTION EARNINGS OF THE COM- 
PANY — ITS BALANCE SHEET FOR I916 — THE EMPLOYMENT BUREAU ITS 

HOUSING PLANS TESTIMONIAL TO ITS PRESIDENT, CHARLES F. BROOKER 

SKETCH OF HIS CAREER — THE SCOVILL COMPANY — ITS PHYSICAL GROWTH 

ITS NEW BUILDINGS ENORMOUS EARNINGS OFFICERS OF THE PAST 

QITARTFR CENTURY — EMPLOYMENT BURE^\U ITS HOSPITALS I99 

CHAPTER XVII 
OTHER BRASS AND BRASSWARE COMPANIES 

THE AMERICAN RING COMPANY RANDOLPH & CLOWES COMPANY THE WATER- 
BURY ROLLING MILI-S A. H. WELLS & CO. FRENCH MANUFACTURING COM- 
PANY — THE PILLING BRASS COMPANY — WATERBURY BRASS GOODS CORPORA- 



CONTENTS vii 

TION STEELE & JOHNSON — THE NATIONAL COMPANY — THE SMITH & 

GRIGGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY — THE SHOE HARDWARE COMPANY — 

PLATT BROTHERS & COMPANY NOVELTY MANUFACTURING COMPANY — 

BERBECKER & ROWLAND — MATTATUCK MANUFACTURING COMPANY WATER- 
BURY BUCKLE COMPANY — L. C. WHITE COMPANY — NOERA MANUFACTURING 
COMPANY — THE GENERAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY — THE AMERICAN 

FASTENER COMPANY THE SIMONSVILLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY THE 

WATERBURY METAL WARES COMPANY — THE SOMERS COMPANY, INC. — THE 
CONNECTICUT MANUFACTURING ( OMPANY 2I4 

CHAPTER X\ HI 
CLOCKS, WATCHES, PINS, NEEDLES. HOOKS AND EYES 

THE WATERBURY CLOCK COMPANY — THE BEGINNINGS OF THE "INGERSOLL" 
WATCH — FROM THE "jl'MBo" TO THE SMALL "DOLLAR" WATCH — MAKING 
ITS OWN CRYSTALS^R. H. INGERSOLL & BROTHER BUY THE NEW ENGLAND 
WATCH COMPANY PLANT — THE STORY OF THE "LONG WIND" WATERBURY 

WATCH — THE LUX CLOCK MANUFACTURING COMPANY THE AMERICAN PIN 

COMPANY ITS PLANT ITS NEW BUILDINGS SINC£ I9OO — THE OAKVILLE 

COMPANY AND ITS EXTICNSIONS — OFFICIALS OF THE BIG PIN COMPANIES. . . . 224 



CHAPTER XIX 
MACHINE SHOPS AND FOUNDRIES 



THE WATERBURY FARREL FOUNDRY & MACHINE COMPANY — THE WATERBURY 
MACHINE COMPANY — THE E. J. M ANVILLE MACHINE COMPANY — THE BLAKE 
& JOHNSON COMPANY — THE WATERBURY TOOL COMPANY — THE LUDINGTON 
CIGARETTE MACHINE COMPANY — THE ROWBOTTOM MACHINE COMPANY — 

ANDREW C. CAMPBELL, INC. HEXDERSdN BROTHERS SEYMOUR SMITH & 

SON THE MANUFACTURERS FOUNDRY COMPANY — THE WATERBURY CAST- 
INGS COMPANY — THE METAL SPECIALTIES COMPANY — THE ATLAS MACHINE 
COMPANY — WATERBURY STANDARD TOOL AND MACHINE COMPANY — WATER- 
BURY PRESSED METAL AND TOOL COMP.\NY 23O 



CHAPTER XX 
OTHER MAXUFACTURIXG CORPORATIONS 

THE INTERN.\TIONAL SILVER COMPANY — THE AMERICAN MILLS COMPANY — THE 
WATERBURY PAPER BOX COMPANY — THE WHITE & WELLS COMPANY — THE 
KALBFLEISCH CORPORATION — THE WATERBURY BATTERY COMPANY — THE 

WILLIAMS SEALING CORPORATION THE WATERBURY JEWEL COMPANY' — THE 

AUTOVRE COMPANY- — THE L.\NE M.\NUFACTURING COMPANY — W.^TERVILLE 
CUTLERY COMPANY — THE MORDEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY' — THE H. L. 
WELCH HOSIERY COMPANY' — THE WATERBURY' INSTRUMENT COMPANY — 

THE WATERBURY ICE CORPOR.\TION — THE SPRING LAKE ICE COMPANY THE 

HELLMAN BREWING COMP.VNY — THE EAGLE BREWING COMPANY — FEW 
MANUFACTURING LOSSES 237 



viii CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XXI 
THE .MASONIC ORDER AND OTHER FRATERNITIES 

EARLY MASONIC HISTORY — HARMONY AND CONTINENTAL LODGES— MASONIC 

CLUI! — CLARK COMMANDERY EUREKA CHAPTER, R. A. M. WATERBURV 

COUNCIL, NO. 21 THE WATERBURY MASONIC TEMPLE THE ODD FELLOWS 

NOSAHOGAN LODGE — ENCAMPMENT AND CANTON DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH 

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS B. P. 0. ELKS — KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ANCIENT 

ORDER OF HIBERNIANS UNITED WORKMEN — FORESTERS LOYAL OMJER OF 

MOOSE — HEPTASOPHS — EAGLES RED MEN — UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS 

—WOODMEN AND OTHER FRATERNITIES — FRENCH, ITALIAN, SWEDISH AND 
GERMAN SOCIETIES — LABOR ORGANIZATIONS 245 



CHAPTER XXH 
CO.M.MUNITV EFFORTS, PHILANTHROPY AND REFORMS 

THE Y. M. C. A. AND ITS GROWTH FUND FOR NEW BUILDING WAR-TIME WORK 

THE WATERBURY' BOYS' CLUB MR. COMBELLACK's GREAT WORK THE 

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA THE WATERBEURY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AND GIRLS' 

CLUB — THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT IN WATERBURY RESCUE MISSION 

THE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE — THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT — 
ELISIIA LEAVEXWORTlFs BENEFACTIONS .* 270 

CHAPTER XXIII 

CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS, BUSINESS, SOCIAL, PROFESSIONAL 
AND PATRIOTIC 

THE WATERBURY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE — ITS BEGINNING AS THE MER- 
CHANTS' ASSOCI.\TION THE WATERBURY CLUB ITS NEW HOME THE 

COUNTRY CLUB WATERBURY DRIVING ASSOCIATION AUTOMOBILE CLUB 

NATURALIST CLUB — THE ELKS CLUB OTHER SOCIAL CLUBS PROFESSIONAL 

ORGANIZATIONS — WOMEN's CLUBS AND SOCIETIES — ATHLETIC AND SPORTING 

ORGANIZATIONS — THE G. A. R. AND W. R. C. WATERBURY's REPRESENTATI0> 

IN STATE P.VrRIOTIC SOCIETIES SARSFIELD CLUB 285 



CHAPTER XXIV 
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA 

WATERBURY SYMPHONY ORCIIESTR.V CHURCH CHOIRS REKINDLE INTEREST IN 

MUSIC — THE BUCKINGHAM MUSIC HALL — OR.ATORIO SOCIETY AND ITS CELE- 
BRATED MAY FESTIVAL — WATERBURY CHORAL CLUB — GERMAN SINGING 

SOCIETHCS — THEATRICAL HISTORY OF A QUARTER CENTURY THE ADVENT OF 

pni.l's — THE MOVIE PERIOD THE WORK OF EUGENE JACQUES — AMATEUR 

THEATRICAUS 2q8 



C(.)X TEXTS ix 

CJIAPTKR X.W 
THE NEWSPAPERS 

TJIK VVATERIIURY AMERICAN — ITS MCVV lllULIJIXG — THE EXEXIN'G DEMOCRAT 
AND ITS SUCCESS DUE TO THE WORK OF ITS EUUNDER, CORNELIUS MALONEV, 
AND PRESENT EDITOR, VINCICXT .MAI.(}NEV — IN' ITS NEW BUILDING — THE 
REPUBLICAN SOLD BY THE AMERICAN — A SECOND SALE WITHIN A YEAR — 
RAPID GROWTH OF THE PAPER — IS M()\ED INTO ITS OWN BUILDING — MO|i|-:RN 

f:quipment — policy approvei) t.y tiii-: pup.lic — incorporated — presi:nt 
OF'FiciALS — vveeklii;s and monthlies, past and present 307 

CHAPTER XX\"1 
WAR AXI) AHLITARV ACTI\ ITIES 
waterbury's shaki- in the SI' \nish-ami:rh ax war — city PA^•s triiu'te to 

lieutenant frank W. KI'.LLOCiG, (IMC OF HICUuFS OF P.ATTI.E OF MANILA 

BAY, AND EIGHTY-TWO VliTERANS OF WAR — THE CALL To AinLS IX I()l6 

WATERBURY BOYS MOVE TO MEXICAN BORDER OVATION l;V ( IIA' OX RICTURN 

• — DECLARATION OF WAR ON GICRMANY ITNDS WAIERl;UKV IX MIDST OF 

RECRUITING CAMPAIGN IHI': XAITOXAL (.UARII GOi;s To Till-; INOXr THE 

DRAFT THE LIBERTY LOANS THE RFT) CROSS W AITCRIU ' R^■ 's MANY PATRI- 
OTIC EFFORTS — TRIBUTE TO ROCH AM P.ICAU 312 

CHAI'TER XX\ II 
WATI^RHUm- IX STATI': AEEAIRS 

WATI'.RBl'R\ 1L\S HAD FEW CITIZENS IX STATE OFFICES ciEORGE I.. LII.LEY A 

NOTABLE EXCEPTION HIS CARI:|:R IX CITY POLITICS FOLLOWED BY ELECTION 

TO THE LEGISLATURE AND TIIICX P.Y THREE ELECTIONS TO CONGRESS HIS 

CONTESTS ATTRACT NATIIJNAL ATTFNI'ION ATTACK ON GENERAL PAPER 

COMPANY — FIGHT ON SUBMARINI- Si AXDAL — ADXFRSF REPORT BY CONGRES- 
SIONAL COMMITTEE RETURNS FOR V I NDICATKJN AND IS ELECTED GOVERNOR 

HIS SUDDEN DEATH 319 

chaptI':r xx\ III 

W\\TERBURY CORPORATIOXS, ACTR'E AXD LAPSI'D 

COVERING THE PERIOD FROM 1 S!< 14 Ti 1 HHJ AND INtLUDING ALL OLIHCR COR- 
PORATIONS THAT WERE I.Fl.ISLATFH IH T nF FXISTICNCE DURING THIS PICRIOD ^2^^ 

CHAPTI'.R XXIX 
WATERTt )WX AX!) ITS IXHUSTRIES 

POPULATION CENTEN \RY ( FT.EI'.RA IK IN CHl"RCHFS SCHOOLS LIBRAR\' 

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT — Sdl.DIERs' MONUMENT — FIRE DEPARTMENT — 
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY--I1. A. R. TOWN OFFK lALS CENSUS 339 



X CONTEXTS 

CHAPTER XXX 
WATERBL'RY'S XEAREST NEIGHBOR 

COLONIAL AND LATER PERIOD EARLV INDUSTRL\L DEVELOPMENT THE RUBBER 

industry's BEGINNINC SCHOOLS — CHURCHES HOWARD WHITTEMORE 

LIBRARY — THE BOROUGH GOVERNMENT THE WHITTEMORE BRIDGE 

WHITTEMORE GIFTS — BANKS — PUBLIC UTILITIES — FIRE AND POLICE DEPART- 
MENTS — NEW POSTOFFICE — THE GENERAL WASHINGTON HOUSE THE Y. M. 

C. A. AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS 346 

CHAPTER XXXI 
THE TOWN OE SEYMOUR 

ITS THREE NAM KS — POPULATION — C II URCIIES — SCHOOLS — LIBRARY — SEYMOUR'S 

BANK — ITS MANUFACTURING INTERESTS — TRANSPORTATION THE SFIYMOUR 

RECORD FIRE PROTECTION AND DEPARTMENT PARK AND MONUMENT — 

TOWN OFFICERS — SOCIETIES AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 364 

CHAPTER XXXII 
THOMASTON. THE TOWN OE CLOCKMAKERS 

ITS EARLY HISTORY — THE BEGIN N I Nci OF ITS CLOCK INDUSTRY — THE INVENTION 

OF ELI TERRY AND SETH TIIOMAS^THEIR MARVELOUS WORK THE GROWTH 

OF THE INDUSTRY ITS SCHOOLS. CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, GOVERNMENT 

ITS LATEST INDUSTRIES 377 

CHAl'TER XXXIII 
TORRIXGTOX'S RAPID GROWTH 

SUMMARY OF ITS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ITS EARLY HISTORY' TORRING- 

FORD EARLY EXPANSION — SCHOOLS CHURCHES BANKS CHAMBER OF 

COMMERCE — LIBRARY — Y. M. C. A. — HOSPITAL NEWSPAPERS — ELKS' CLUB 

HOUSE — PARKS — CEMETERIES — BOROUGH HISTORY 385 

CHAPTER XXXR- 
WIXSTED IX THE IHELS 

ITS HISTORY FROM COLONIAL DAYS — WINSTED BOROUGH — POLICE AND FIRE 

DEPARTMENTS — LIGHTING — SCHOOLS PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSPITAL 

CHl'RCHES NEWSPAPERS — ITS INDUSTRIES BANKS — CHAMBER OF COM- 
MERCE — V. M. C. A. WINSTED ( LUB 4O5 



Waterbury and the Naugatuck 
Valley 



CHAl'TER 1 
A BIRUSEVK MEW- 
IN TWENTY-FIVE YEARS WATERHUKV II \S AilOlT GROWN OL'T OE KNOWLEDGE OF ITS 

OLD SELF — ITS INDUSTRIAL SUCGESS THE WORK OF MASTERFUL MINDS MER FAME 

IN METAL MAKING NOW WORLD-WIDE — INTENSITY OF PRODUCTION IN NAUGA- 
TUCK VALLEY HARDLY E(,)UAL1-:D IN ANY OTIII-.R LIKE EXTF.XT ol- TI-.RRITORY IN 
THE COUNTRY. 

The difficulty which will confront fulurc liistorians of Waterbury will always 
be to meet the standard set by the "History of the Town and City of Waterbury," 
which is found on the shelves of e\ery well selected Waterbury library. In that 
work, covering the period from aboriginal days to the year 1895, Doctor Anderson, 
Miss Sara J. Prichard and Miss .Anna L. Ward told the story of the beginnings 
of Waterbury and traced the progress nf tlie town and city down to the date 
of compilation, and did it with encyclo]);edic completeness and accuracy. They 
had access to all the important material which is in existence, the enthusiastic 
co-operation of scores of people whose local knowledge and facile pens assisted 
the compilers in preparing a local history probably never surpassed for the 
loving thoroughness and care which were expended upon it. 

Most of that work was compiled in the early '90s and in twenty-five years 
Waterbury has almost grown out of knowledge of itself. .\ new generation 
has lived new chapters of the city's history and is already passing away, leaving 
its story unwritten. The Anderson history was so exhaustive, so accurate and 
so worthv that there will never be occasion for another similar work, but there 
is roDUi ftir a \olume tli.it will be a complement and a continuation. 

It was this idea that led t(i the incejition of a \olume that is frankly a 
sui)i)lement to the previous history, to deal with the e\ents in the history of 
Waterbury and the story of her progress during the last twenty-five years, and 
to summarize also Jthe stories of her sister communities in the Xaugatuck A'alley 
whose interests and histories are so closely linked with hers. 

As far as possible the lines of the preceding history have been follow ed. The 
chapters which told the story of the city down to 1895 were taken up in turn 
and carried down to date, .'several considerations have prevented the editor 
from doing this with the same conii>leteness. however. The city is larger many 
times, and to de\ote the same relati\-e amount of space to each individual or 
topic would be to expand the modest work originally contemplated into a small 

Vol. I— 1 

1 



2 WATERBL'RY AND THE NAUGATUCK \^\IJ,EY 

book-shelf. The community is many times busier and the year selected for the 
compilation of this work has been a period in which everybody in VVaterbury 
has been overworked. Yet delay would have caused a heavy financial loss which 
would have been an injustice to the publishers. On this account, in several 
respects there are deficiencies of which the editor is conscious. The chapter of 
family records in the old history has not been carried down to date. It is 
genealogical, rather than historical; it would have involved so much research 
and correspondence extending over long periods and extending to so many 
remote quarters, and would have required .so much time and effort in some cases 
to ascertain and verify records which would occupy only a few lines, that the 
editor despaired of accomplishing anything of value in the allowable time. 
Consequently, it has been left to some person or organization better fitted for 
the task and to less crowded times. .Still, it is hoped this volume will be found 
of interest to readers and of value as a supplement, in spite of any deficiencies 
which may be found to exist. 

The Waterbuiy of the early '90s was a small city, which was just beginning 
to realize that it was destined to become an important manufacturing center. 
It had recently been a factory village, almost isolated from the main currents 
of modern life. Its history was rich in reminiscence, but its industrial and 
commercial future seemed more or less precarious. There seemed to be no 
reason why it should survive, let alone greatly outgrow any one of a number 
of other communities in Connecticut. Indeed, at that time the belief was preva- 
lent that it was doomed to be abondoned by the brass industry, which was the 
city's mainstay, that the great brass factories of the future would be built in 
the West, nearer to the sources of supply of the raw materials. 

One thing that the pessimistic prophets of that era failed to take into con- 
sideration was that while Waterbury was largely dependent for her growth and 
prosperity on one industry, and on the lines naturally growing out of it, she 
understood her own lines of business thoroughly. In the light of events, wise 
observers have been said that the industrial progress of Waterbury has after all 
depended upon a comparatively few men, masters of their business, most of 
whom have been born here and all of whom j>refer to work here. Some of these 
observers are disposed to narrow this down and say that Waterbury would not 
have attained her present importance but for a few families, who had lived 
and worked here. This is largely true. In many cases the same families, and 
the same family names will be found for generation after generation, building 
up Waterbury from her small beginnings, toiling, inventing, planning, con- 
stantly improving, expanding and enlarging, until at ])resent the future of Water- 
burv seems forever assured. 

It has been remarked for years that wherever a man may travel, he will 
find metal goods that have come from Waterburj-. The sun, literally, never 
sets upon the work of Waterbury's hands, and now, as in the past, her fame in 
metal-working is world-wide. This draws to her the inventor, the skilled 
mechanic and the merchant from all parts of the nation, and from distant lands. 
They come here to develop their ideas, to gain their indnstrial training, to 
supervise the manufacture of their wares. Sooner or later, everybody who has 
a small article which can be made out of the metals in which we are skilled in 
working, turns up in Waterbury to ask our price for making his goods, or our 
help in devising cunning machinery that will turn them out for him. There is 
a perpetual circulation between Waterbury and the markets of all the world, 
from which the community perhaps gains as much or more than it imparts, so 
that at the present time the city and her sister communities up and down the 



WATRRP.lMn- \XI) Till-: XALCATUCK \ A[J.EV :5 

valley arc known as rcsurvoirs of mechanics and niachini>ts of tlic highest 
training, intelligence and inventive skill. The momentous years of 1915 and 
1916, when the United States was so suddenly called upon to supply Europe's 
desperate needs for war materials, were a wonderful illustration of this. Among 
the first industrial communities which was set to work for Europe was this city. 
ITence the giant industries of 1917 are the full fruition of years of her supremacy 
in her own special methods and of tiie rei)utati<in which she has gained of 
knowing her business thoroughly. 

This is characteristic of the sister towns and cities of the busy 50-mile strip 
wb.ich is down on the maps as the Naugutuck Valley. There is hardly in the 
known world such a narrow compass of territory in which there is such an 
intensity of production and such a genius for industrial leadership. It means 
something that for years before it liccame a part of the larger transportation 
system of New England, the valley's iron artery, the Naugatuck Railroad, was 
remarked as having the largest earnings j)er mile of any stretch of railroad in 
the country. 

This was because W'insted in chicks and knil goods, Torrington in brass, 
needles, and machinery, Thomaston in clocks, Naugatuck in rubber goods, Sey- 
mour in fountain pens, copper and brass goods, Ansonia and Derby in brass and 
machinery, rivaled or duplicated the success of Waterburj-. Railroad operating 
officials, who are put to their utmost to move the immense volume of traffic 
developed in these communities, have come to regard the Naugatuck Valley as 
one great factory city with a continuous freight yard covering the fiftv niilcs 
between Winsted and tide- water. 

But it must not be supposed that this wonderful territory and jio]Hilation ;ire 
devoted exclusively to the material side of life in which they excel. The old 
New England traditions stand. The inner life of religion, education and culture, 
constantly renewing the faith and courage of the workers of the community, 
are manifesting themselves more strongly than ever in movements for social 
uplift and development, the cleaning and fit ordering of the community life in 
its outward and inward manifestations, the patriotic pride that shows itself in 
conscientious and unselfish devotion to the town, city and state, and in even 
wider service. The perhaps more important non-material side of the story of 
these communities, if fitly told, may nourish satisfaction with the past and hope 
for the future even more completely, for it has been written that men shall not 
live bv liread alone. 



CTIAITER II 
THE OFFICIAL CHRONICLES OF THE CITY OF WATERBURY 

THE FIGHT I'OK CONSOUDATION OF Cn\, TOWN AND SCHOOL GOVERNMENT TAXA- 
TION CHANGES IN A QUARTER CENTURY — THE TAX RATES AND THE GRAND LISTS 

THE BONDED DEBT STREET IMPKO\'EMENT CITY HALL, WATER, SCHOOL AND 

SEWAGE BOND ISSUES — CITY OFFICIALS SINCE 1893 — ITS LEGISLATORS MUTUAL 

AID SOCIETY— POLICE DEPARTMENT — START OF THE DETECTIVE SERVICE THE 

CONSTABULARY FORCE — HOW THE DEPARTMENT WORKS ^THE TROLLEY STRIKE OF 

1903- — SKETCHES OF FORMER CHIEF EGAN AND SUPERINTENDENT GEORGE M. 

BEACH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ITS GROWTH IN NUMBERS AND EQUIPMENT 

THE FIRE OF I9O2 — RECORD OF BIG ITRF^ SINCE 1893 — THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. 

Ill 1893, the beginning of the twenty-five year ])eriod of which this is a history, 
Waterbury was in the midst of a determined liattle against its existing cumber- 
some and overlaijping form of government. Under the old charter, there were in 
force what might be termed three distinct local governmental powers, each with- 
out authority over the other, and in many instances duplicating at great expense 
to the taxpayers the executive functions. 

This contest between a rapidly growing city and a town which embraced a 
large rural population without municipal needs, had now been in progress for 
some years. Recommendations had been made repeatedly by preceding mayors, 
but action was always blocked by the fear of added taxation in rural districts. 
In 1893, however, the population had grown to such an extent in some of the 
outlying sections of the Town of Waterbury that the need of city betterments - 
in several directions was imperative. 

In 1894 the first definite step was taken to bring about a consolidation or rather 
a merging of the city, town and school governments which, however, was only 
])artially successful. On May 7, 1894, a committee consisting of Hon. E. G. 
Kilduflf, the mayor of the city, George E. Terry, then states' attorney, Judge 
Charles G. Root and Thomas D. \\'ells. was ap])ointed by the two governing bodies 
of the municipality, the Board of Aldermen and the Court of Common Council, 
with power to frame an amended or new charter for the City and Town of Water- 
bury. This was to be sul)mitted to a joint session of the council before or during 
the period of the next session of the General Assembly. 

The work was admirably conceived, and while many of its provisions were 
nullified either by the council and by the Legislature, acting under pressure of 
strong local opposition, these were adopted in later years, thus showing the fore- 
sight and wisdom of the members of this able committee. 

The report was submitted on February 25, 1895. An effort to have the pro- 
loosed charter voted upon by the ])caple, which was merely an effort to delay the 
proposed changes, was defeated. Many changes were, however, suggested. 

On May 13. 1895. just a few days before the final ojiportunity for presenta- 
tion to the Legislature, a committee consisting of Thomas D. Barlow and Daniel 
Kicfcr. urged immediate action and on May 2^. 1S95. the proposed charter was 

i 



w Ai i;ki;rkN wd riih; \Ar( ,,\ tli k \ ai.lkv :> 

officially proLntc-iJ at I lartf(ir(l tti the jdiiit ^tandint; (.'uniniittee on Citic> anil 
Boroughs of the < icnrral Assembly. 

'J'lu- iiill as passed, however, did ndl consulidale tlie cil\ , luwn and sclmol 
go\ernmeiUs, lint in its regulation of the nuuiiei]ial gdxt'nnnent was a tremendous 
step forward. 

The act cif iSi)5 e.xlended the city limits lo include the actual town limits. 
This was a lirst great step toward the consoliil.itidn. It created Tue wards, abol- 
ished the L'ourt of Coniniuii t. dimcil, gu Iul; liK-,d legi>l;Lti\ c powers exclusively tn 
a Board of .\lderinen. It proxided fur bienni.al electimis. ami in order to take the 
affairs of the city as far as imssiblc nut nf puiil\- political cuntests. .and tn 
concentrate the attention of \oters on municipal needs, the ilate nf these elections 
was made the first Monday of each alternate i >ctnber. 

The charter j)rovided for the election of a mayor, .i city clerk, a treasurer, 
a comptroller, thus al>olishing the office of auditor. ;i city sherilT. two agents of 
the P.ronson Library PTind. and three aldermen from each ward. It i)rn\ided that 
thecnilcctor of taxes .annually chnsen at the town meeting nf tin- Town of Water- 
bury "shall be the collector nf l.axes nf said city." It prnvi.led for a much- 
needed Board of I'ublic Works, which wa^ to consist nf tju- ni.iMir. who w.as 
ex-officio president, and li\e electnrs. nanieil by the niayni' and .ippro\ed b\ the 
aldermen. Ai least two nf these must be of the opposition political party. It 
created as subordinates to this Bnard of Public Works, the Bureaus nf W.ater. 
.'Streets, Sewers. I'aigineering and .\ssessment. the kist-n.imed a board in charge 
of condemnations, benefits and damages arising out of improvements. 

The charter ga\e the .aldermen the ])ower to a|ipoini the cit\ attoriuw . This 
office was abolished in ujij. wlnai ,i leg.il departmeiU with cnrpnratinn cnunsc'l 
and assistant was created. 

rile charter created a I'.nard nt liiiance. consisting nt the nuivnr. e\-olhcio, 
the comptroller, the presicK-nt nf the Bnard nf Aldermen, .and three citizens 
appointed by the mayor. 

The charter created Department nf I'ublic ."^.afety. nllicially kimwii as ;i Board 
of Commissioners of I'ublic .'~^afet\. Ibis consists of the ni.iynr, t-.x-officio presi- 
dent, and fi\e electors, appointed by the mayor and cnnliianed by the aklermen. 
It has charge of the lire and |inlice deiiartments. 

It create<l the l)r])artment nf rublic Health. 

This was at least a basis, .auil a \ery ef"tecti\e niie, npnn which tn build a modern 
city government. 

In 189c;. the act creating Waterliury's present l)epartmem cif Education was 
passed, and this provided that "it shall have the care and management of all 
the property and affairs of the Center School District of Waterhury. .After 
this act shall take eft'ect. no meeting of the Center School District shall be held 
for any purpose whatever.'' 

This was the second step leading to consolidation. ;iiid was brought about 
largely by a prior compromise in the matter of taxation. It was agreed that 
taxpayers living beyond the old cit\' limits and within the town limits should not 
pay over one-half the ta.x rate of taxpayers within the nld city limits. But as thev 
were compelled to support their own schools and had no right to the city's water, 
sewers, police or fire protection, this concession to the taxpayers of the outside 
district was less important than it might appear on the face of it. fn 1899 the 
tax levy for the inside district was 2S mills, and for the outside 14 mills. The 
grand list for that year w\as St r .fiTi).''^''?^ for the inside district ;md .Sdft)..^^! for 
the outside district. 

The act creating the Department of Education had a far-reaching influence 



6 WATF.RIirRV AXI^) TIM-. XAUGATUCK \'ALLEY 

for school iniprovenicnts. While it hmited its control to the schools in the old 
city limits, it enipowered all other districts in the old town limits to vote them- 
selves in. This has been done among others by Waterville. Town I'lot, Mill Plain, 
Hunker Mill and llopeville. It thus created uniformity where there was wide 
disparity, and m many sections it abolished the anticjuated system of school 
visitors. 

The Department of Education is now in charge of a lioard of Education, 
consisting of the mayor, chairman ex-officio. and nine members, three of whom 
arc elected biennially for a term of six years. 

The great need for the many advantages which a city government provides, 
was now more deeply impressed upon the outside districts by the continuing 
increase in population. Opposition was breaking down. 

The agitation of ten years and longer between city and town was finally 
rewarded in ]ix>i by the long-needed consolidation act. effective on the first 
Monday in January. 1902. The important change was the placing of nearly all 
the old duties of selectmen in the Board of Aldermen. In 1903 the authority 
of selectmen over the poor of the town was placed in the hands of the Board 
of Charities, which was then created. This leaves the work of making voters 
their only important duty. 

In 1911 it was found necessary to pass a constitutional amendment so that 
W'aterbury could vote for city and town officers at the same time. 

It was found necessary both in 1896 and in 1902 to change many existing 
ordinances to conform to charter revisions, and this has been ably done by 
committees ap])oined by the Board of Aldermen. 

Till-: FIX.VNCKS OK .\ OU.XKIICK OK .\ CKNTURV 

Taxation has always been the stumbling block to consolidation, and as usual, 
it was a compromise that brought about the change. In igor, two taxation 
districts were created. The first district includes the entire town and the second 
includes the old city limits. Until 1913. the taxation in the second district was 
segregated into what was known a.s the inside and the outside rate. The "out- 
side" rate was of course the compromise, but it was only a question of time 
when cily improvements and city benefits would be town wide. The eflort to 
stop this segregation in 1905 and ir>{36 met with failure. Tn 1914, and since 
then, the grand list and the lax levy were divided only into the first and second 
districts. 

While at each session of the -Stale Legislature, many minor amendatory acts 
have been passed for the benefit of Waterbury, for the purposes of history the 
great changes took place respectively in 1895, 1899 and 1901. 

Two tabulations will tell in figures the story of the growth of Waterbury : 
its grand list for twenty-five years from 1893 t" ^9^7, ^"d its tax levy. It is 
imi)ortant to remember that up to 1902, the valuation was on a one-third basis. 
.\fter that date, under the state law. it was compulsory to as.sess on a 100 per 
cent basis. 



TlIK CR.XND r.IST SIXCK 1893 



1 8<;»3— 810,573,103. 
1 894 — S 1 0,452, 1 38. 

1895-— $io.593,4iO- 
1896 — $10,802,314. 



\\A ^l•:Kl;l■K^ wd riii'. xal'c xtl'ck \ allf.v 

1897 — $IO.<)-V,-'<)M. 

1898—$! i,i()i,-Kij. 

iSqt) — $1 I .,:;r 1 .11J7. Iiisidr raxatinii histn'ct. 

fi23,iS(i. ( )ulsi(li.- Taxation L)istricl. 

icjiX) — ."^i i.'irij.SS^. Inside Taxation District. 

(i.Si),_:;ji . ( )utsiiie Taxation District. 

i(/)i — $i4,J4(>.Si I . I<"irst Taxation nistrict. 

I I .i)4X, 140. .Scconij i'axation I'istrirt, In^iiic. 

S52.141. Si'coml T.-ixalion Districl. ( )utsi(lc. 

1902 — $43,791,38-'. I'irst raxati<in I'islnrt. 

37,332,117. Second 'I'.axation District, Inside. 

2,184,184. Second T.ixation District. < intsidr. 

1903 — $53,472,1(14. First T.ax.ilion i)islricl. 

48,556,7c«3. .Second 'i'axation i)istricl. Inside. 

2,3(x>,25a. .Second Tax.ation Dislrict, < inlside. 

1(X>4 — .S4S,4i;3,r)2i). First T.ixation i)i>trict. 

41.357,537. Second 'i'axation District, Inside. 

-•5''3>'"P- Second Taxation i)iNtrict, < )ntside. 

1905 — .$50,322,836. Mrst Taxation Disii-ict. 

42,78(;,038. .Second Taxation Di-triii, Inside. 

2,777,847. Second Taxation District, ( )nlside. 

1006 — $53,193,784. I'irst Taxation District. 

44,<)65,922. .Second 'i'axation District, Inside. 

3,143,583. Second 'I'axation District, ( Intside. 

icx>7 — $55,i/)3,82i . I'irst Taxation District. 

4'>,895,738. .Second Taxation District. Inside. 

3,4<)5.3(>8. .Second Taxation District. ( )ntside. 

l(jo8 — $57,790,131. I'^irst Taxation District. 

48,131,658. Second Taxation District. Inside. 

3,829,330. .Second TaxaticMi District, < )ntside. 

190 ) — $(10,272,168. I'irst Taxation District. 

5(.).074,352. .Second Taxation District, Inside. 

4.011. S(ii). .Seconri Tax.ation jlistrict. ( )iltside. 

ic>io — ,$(')3.654. 1 1 i . First Taxation District. 

52, 247, 86<). .Second 'i'axation District. Inside. 

4,55i,</8i>. .Second Taxation District. ( Hit.side. 

lOii — $(i('.385,3iX). First Ta.xation District. 

54.041 .oi)<j. .Second Ta.xation District. Inside. 

5.450,878. .Second Taxation District, < Uitside. 

1012 — $7 1,535,^42. First Taxation District. 

54,(xji;,722. .Second Taxation District. Inside. 

4.(.>50.324. .Second Taxation District, (.Hitside. 

1913 — $74,52(1,824. I'^irst Taxation District. 

35,()j9,,S72. .Second Taxation District. Inside. 

5.38(i,<)2i. Second Taxation District. ( )utside. 
ic)i4 — $77,022,701. I'^irst Taxation District. 

(17, 401. '135. Second Taxation District. 

IU15 — $70. -35.' 1,^0. First Taxation District. 

74.725.210. .Second Taxation District. 

i9i() — $(>o. 11,11,184. First Taxation District. 

84,746,628. Second Taxation District. 
1917 — $i04,(3oo,ooo. First Taxation District. 

102,000,000. Second Taxation District. 



8 \\A'rF.RlU;KY AND THI-: XAfGATUCK X'ALLEY 

I'lIE TAX rati; for T\Vi:.\TV-riVE YKAKS 

From 1893 lo iipo, the town tax rate was in effect. For these years, it was 
as follows : 

1893 — 3 mills. 
1894 — 2 mills. 
1895 — 5 mills. 
1896 — 5 mills. 
1897 — 5 mills. 
1898 — 5 mills. 
1899 — 6 mills. 
1900 — 6 mills. 
The city tax rate for the period of twenty-fne years has been as follows: 
1893 — 18 mills (one-third valuation). 
1894 — 18 mills (one-third valuation). 
1895 — 20 mills (one-third valuation). 
1896 — 18 mills (one-third valuation). 
1897 — 19 mills (one-third valuation). 
1898 — 19 mills (one-third valuation). 
1899 — 28 mills, Inside Taxation District (one-third valuation). 

14 mills, Outside Taxation District (one-third valuation). 
1900 — 32 mills. Inside Taxation District (one-third valuation). 

16 mills, Outside Taxation District (one-third valuation). 
1901 — 13 mills. First Taxation District (one-third valuation). 

27 mills. Second Taxation District, Inside (one-third valuation). 
22 mills. Second Taxation District, Outside (one-third valua- 
tion). 

mills. First Taxation District (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation District, Inside (full valuation). 

mills, Second Taxation District, Outside (full valuation). 

mills. First Taxation District (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation Di.strict, Inside (full valuation). 

mills, Second Taxation District, Outside (full valuation). 

mills. First Taxation District (full \aluation). 

mills, Second Taxation District, Inside (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation District. Outside (full valuation). 

mills, First Taxation Di.strict (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation District, Inside (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation District, Outside (full valuation). 

mills. First Taxation District (full valuation). 

mills, Second Taxation District, Inside (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation District, Outside (full valuation). 

mills, First Taxation District (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation District, Inside (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation District, Outside (full valuation). 

mills. First Taxation District (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation District. Inside (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation District, Outside ( full valuation V 

mills. First Taxation District (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation District. Inside (full valuation). 

mills. Second Taxation District. Outside (full valuation). 



1902 — 


37 




9-5 




7-5 


1903— 


3-4 




12. 1 




9-3 


1904- 


■ 3 




12 




8.6 


1905- 


- 3 




1 1.8 




8.9 


i90(>— 


-3-6 




II. I 




8-7 


1907- 


- 5 




9.8 




7-4 


1908 — 5 




«).8 




77 


1909- 


' 5-7 




9-3 




7/'; 



WATL'RnL'KV AXD Tllli XAL'i IAIULK \A1.[,EV 



HJIO- 


- OXK) 


mills 




iO.OO 


mills 




8.22 


mills 


1911— 


-6.7 


mills 




''•3 


mills 




7-7'' 


mills 


11)12- 


- <>-3S 


mills 




9.66 


mills 




8.075 


mills 


1913- 


- 6.33 


mills 




'3-99 


mills 




14-405 


mills 


I914- 


-10.06 


mills 




7.48 


mills 


I915- 


-10.50 


mills 




8.70 


mills 


10iC>- 


-10.18 


mills 




8.82 


mills 


1917- 


- 974 


mills 




0.07 


mills 



Fir^t Taxation District 1 full xakiatiuu). 
.Second Taxation District, Inside (full \aluation ). 
Second Taxation District, Outside (full \aluation). 
First Taxation District (full \aluation). 
Second Taxation District, Inside (full \-.'duation). 
Second Taxation District, Outside ( full \ .iluation ). 
First Taxation District (full valuation). 
Second Taxation District, Inside (full valuation). 
I^ccond Taxation District. Outside ( full valuation). 
First Taxation District (full valuation). 
Second Taxation District. Inside (full valuation). 
Second Taxation District. ' lutside ( full valuation). 
First Taxation District (full valuation). 
Second Taxation District (full \aluation). 
First Taxation District (full valuation 1. 
Second Taxation District (full \aIiiation ). 
First Taxation District (full \alu;ition ). 
Second Taxation District (full \aluationj. 
First Taxation District (full v,iluati(jn ). 
Second Taxation District (full \ , iluation ). 



W \TKKIU/KV S ll(i\|)j;i) IHJll 



In 1894. the net bonded debt of the City of Waterbury was .$243,800.00. On 
January ist. 1917, it was $5,078,000.00. In this \ast difference lies a great story 
of achievement, for these totals represent a rajudly exjjandinn; municipally owned 
water supply, the entire system of parks, many of our schools, ,'ind street improve- 
ments, bridges, a sewage disposal plant, and the new city hall. 

In 1896, with the water bond issues of 1895 <i'i'l ^^'>S included, the debt had 
grown to $904,000.00. 

In January, 1902, the total bonded debt of the city had grown to $i.56cj,- 
000.00, of which $830,000.00 were for water bonds. 

The story of this debt can l)est be told in the last bgtn-es of the city 
comptroller: 



10 



WATRRBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 



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WATERCl'RV AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 11 

The cur\e of the rate uf interest at wliich tlie city has offered its securities for 
sale shows some interesting lluctuatioiis. In r8i)4 ami iXi/j, the city marketed 
4 per cent honds. In iiK>i, ii)02. igo4 ami hhi?, it was ahle to place them at 3^4 
per cent, Init in m/Mi and njO/ the rate was up to 4 per cent aj,'ain. In January, 
iyo8, the rate was 4 ])er cent, hut (in July i, 1908, 30-year bonds had to bear 45^ per 
cent, although a simultaneous issue, maturing in from one to lifty years, was placed 
at 4^j per cent. In \i)ni) and i')\o. the rate was 4 jier cent, in iwii it rose to 
434 pt'f cent, ni nM.^ it wa^ 4 ' _■ per cent on i(»-\car bonds and 4' | p<'r cent on 
longer niatiirities, in I<)14 again 4 |)er cent and in H)i5 and |i)Iii 4' 1 ]ier ct'Ut. 

wati:ri;i:kv's i v\y oii'ii i.\ls 
i8<)3-i9i7 

Waterbury has been furtunati- in its citv officials to whose credit must go the 
record of vast improvements which have kept steady pace with the constantly 
increasing population. 

The mayoralty \Tites for this period are here recorded: 

.M.woR, 1893-1918 

Daniel V. Webster Jan. 4, 1892-Jan., 1894 ■' 

Edward ( i. Kilduff' Jan. i, 1894-Jan., 1898 

Thomas D. Barlow Jan. 3, 1898-Jan., 1900 

Edward G. Kilduff Jan. i, 1900-Jan., 1904 

John P. Elton Jan. 4, icp4-Jan., 1906 

Win. E. Thoms Jan. i, i(p()-Jan., 1910 

Wm. B. Hotchkiss Jan. 3, 1910-Jan.. 1912 

Francis T. Reeves Jan. i, 1912-Jan.. 1914 

Martin Scully Jan. i. 1914-Jan.. 1918 

Wm. T-I. Sandland Mayor Elect 

\'OTn: ON ^^.^voR, 1803-1017 

1893— Edward G. Kilduff ( D.) 2.590 

Daniel F. Webster (R.) 2,413 

1805— Edward G. Kilduff (D.) 2.683 

Daniel F. Webster (R.) 2,520 

1897— Thomas D- Barlow (R.) 2,983 

Edward G. Kilduff CD.) 2,966 

1899— Edward G. Kilduff (D.) 3.740 

Thomas D. Barlow (R.) 2,232 

i90i~Edward G. Kilduff ( D.l 4.141 

George H. Cowell (R.) 3,699 

1903— John P. Elton CR.) 4782 

James M. Lynch (D. ) 3,805 

1905 — \Vm. E. Thoms (D.) 4.604 

Ralph N. Blakeslec ( R.) 4.1 Li 

1907— Wm. E. Thorns ( D. ) 5.180 

John E. Sewell (R.) 4.059 

U)Oi-) — Wm. B. Hotchkiss ( R.l 4-796 

*Died November, 1896. 



12 WATERBl'RY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Francis T. Reeves (D.) 4.304 

Eben J. Lewis (Soc.) 172 

191 1 — Francis T. Reeves (D.) 4-373 

Wni. B. Hotchkiss (R.) 4,136 

Frank O. Pilgrim (Soc.) 1,048 

Wm. TL Noble (Proh.) 63 

1913 — Martin Scully (D.) 4>757 

Albert F. Sherwood (R.) 4,189 

Geo. L. Roehrig (Soc.) 816 

1915 — Martin Scully (D.) 5,931 

John F. McGrath (R.) 3,854 

Chas. W'estendorff (Soc.) 248 

1917 — Wm. H. Sandland (R.) 4.933 

Martin Scully (D.) 4.296 

Charles T. Peach (Soc.) 605 

CITY CLERK. 1893-I918 

Wm. R. Mattison 1893 

Richard F. Grady 1894-1900 

Michael J. Ryan 1900-1904 

Geo. H. Nettleton 1904-1906 

Wm. TT. Sandland 1906-1914 

Wm. F. Moher 1914-1918 

Charles 1!. Tomkinson City Clerk Elect 

COMPTROLLER, 1893-I918 

James J. Cassin 1893-1900 

Michael D. Russell 1900-1904 

Aug. L Goodrich 1904-1906 

Michael D. Russell 1906-1910 

Henry O. Wood 1910-1912 

Michael D. Russell 1912-1918 

Elmer E. Parker Comptroller Elect 

TREA.SURER, 1893-1918 

Bernard F. Reid 1893-1894 

Patrick F. Bannon 1894-1898 

Geo. A. Gibson 1898-1904 

Otis S. Northrop 1904-1906 

Edward L. Tuttle 1906-1910 

Henry A. Hoadley 1910-1912 

Edward F. Moran 1912-1918 

Roberts G. Hannegan Treasurer Elect 

T.\x cor.LECTOR, i893-n)i8 

Chas. J. Griggs 1893-1898 

Wm. E. Thorns 1898-1904 

Edwin S. Hunt 1904-1906 

Francis T. Reeves 1906-1910 



WATF.RBURV AND THE NAU(iATUCK ^"ALLE^• 13 

.Arthur F. Ells ic>io-iiji^ 

James R. Lawlor 1912-1918 

Frederick C. Bauby Tax Collector Elect 

TOWN CLERK, I.S|J3-I<)20 

James J. Madden iS93-i8<J5 

Edward H. Elelden 1895-1900 

Frank V. Brett 1900-1904 

John I'.lair 1904-1906 

Frank P. Brett i90(>i9io 

kciherl I'alnicr Iijlo-1920 

juD<;i-; OF I'KOBATi-:. 1803-19 1 8 

Robert A. I^owe 1803-1910 

Michael J. Byrne it;io-i9i2 

Dennis J. Slavin I()i2-i9i4 

Arthur F. Ells 1()I4-T9i6 

Dennis J. Slavin I<)i')-i9i8 

ciTV SHERIFF. 1893-1918 

John W. McDonald 1893-1(^4 

Wni. J. Rigney 1 1x54-1906 

Matthew J. Smith i(p6-i9io 

David R. Walker 1910-1912 • 

Matthew J. Smith 1912-1918 

Robert C, Stone City Sheriff Elect 

SFXATORS FROM WATERBURY TO THE STATE LEl aSEATL'RE, l8()3-I9I7 

1893 — Charles G. Root 1909 — Irving Hall Chase 
1895 — Daniel F. Webster John Hurley 

1897 — Edward D. Steele 191 1 — Lewis A. Piatt 
1899 — Warren L. Hall Peter Lawlor 

1901 — Wm. Kennedy 1913 — John F. McGrath 
1903 — Cornelius Tracy John Hurley 

1905 — Henry H. Peck 1915 — James A. Peaslex- 

Finton J. Phelan John Hurley 

1907 — Irving- Hall Chase 1917 — \\'iniam J. Larkin 

John Hurley John Hurley 

REl'RESEN'TATU FS FRnM W MEKI'.fRV TO THE STATi: Llj ilSI.ATVKK. 181)3-1917 

1893 — John L. Saxe n;03 — John Lines 

Linford Fenn Root I'rederick E. Cross 

1895-97 — George H. Cowell 1905 — Ralph N, Rlakeslee 

Warren L. Hall Samuel J. Marsh 

189^) — Harold R. Durant 1907 — Augustus I. Goodrich 

Frank P. Brett Abner P. Hayes 

1901 — Geo. L. Lilley I90(;) — .Abner P. Hayes 

Francis P. Guilfoilc Augustus I. (Goodrich 



14 



\\ ATJ'RBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \ALLEV 



Kji I Will. E. Thorns 

Waller E. Monagan 

i(,i ^— Will. Iv Thoms 
janies M. Lynch 



1915 — Xathaniel R. Uronson 

Jesse Devine 
1917 — I'eter Eitzhenry 

I'atrii-k I Icalev 



ALDER MICN, 1893-I92O 

The following is a list of the aldermen in the order of their election, hegin- 
ning with those ]n office in 1893 and ending with those elected in 191 7. Where 
aldermen have heen re-elected the name appears only once : 

Wm. P. Loeffler, 
Edward L. Bronson, 
John M. Burrall, 
Thomas J. Magner, 
Patrick J. Reardoii. 
Michael Malone, 
Janies A. Duggan. 
Peter Griffin, 
John F, Whalen, 
Peter Hock, 
John M. Gill, 
Raymond C. Hutchinson, 
Fred A. Tackle, 
Wm. R. Keaveney, 
Theodore F. Nuhn, 
Dennis T. Clancy, 
Wm. T." Walsh, 
Daniel T. Farrington, 
Daniel Regan. 
.Alfred J. W'olff. 
Mortimer Doran, 
Ferdinand Wolf, 
Wm. E. Treat, 
George F. Lancaster, 
Patrick H. Robinson. 
Patrick G. Fgan. 
Michael J. Rergin, 
John R. Logan, 
Howard .S. White, 
Arthur R. Burton, 
Miller C. Haynor, 
Fred W. Nettleton. 
Geo. Margraves. 
Philip J. Riley. 
Geo. F. Mulligan. 
Patrick McFadden. 
J. J. O'Sullivan, 
Edward W^ Beach. 
Jo.seph T,. Stanley. 
Charles Schmidt. 
.Addison .A. .Ashborn, 
-Archibald F. Mitchell. 
Ralph F. Day. 



Charles R. \'ail. 
George Barnes, 
I'Vederick E. Cross, 
Thomas D. Rarlow, 
Michael I'.cgiial, 
Daniel D. (Jregory, 
Edward B. Reilly. ' 
John C. Allman. 
Daniel Kiefer. 
Patrick W. Halpen, 
II. F. Sanford, 
John H. Condon. 
Frank L Ells. 
Tames H. Pilling. 
Warren L. Hall, 
(.eo. .\. Driggs. 
1. Merrick Gallond. 
|ose])ii X. Bernier, 
, \\"m. H. Wright. 
John 11. Clohessey. 
Joscjih Weis. 
Tohn T. Scully. 
John McElligott. 
Edward Fagan. Jr., 
Eugene J. Sullivan, 
Michael D. Russell, 
h'ric .\. Thunberg, 
I tciiry D. Tlotchkiss. 
{•rank R. White, 
lulward O. Goss. 
Samuel W. Chapman, 
James Callan. 
Timothy T.. Horigan. 
W^m. C, Moore. 
Patrick Holohan. 
John Hurley. 
John J. Rrophy, 
Ralph N. Rlakeslee, 
Arthur II. Tyrrell, 
Robert Walker. 
Frederick W. Chesson, 
Chas. Roylan, 
Daniel T. Afahanev. 



James P. Morris, 
Daniel Foley, 
Thomas Kane, . 
John T. Phelan, 
Frederick El Stanley, 
Louis Gates, 
Geo. M. Beach, 
W'alter D. Ford, 
James H. Murray, 
Stephen J. OTirien, 
Edward Fagan, 
Martin Keefe, 
Chas. L. Holmes, 
Frank Buck, 
Thomas H. Hewitt, 
J. J. Macauley, 
Adam Callan, 
Patrick Dunn, 
Lawrence J. Tobin, 
Frank X. Bergen. 
-Albert F. Sherwood. 
Joseph S. Niell. 
W^m. J. Larkin, 
John P. Elton. 
Louis E. Fitzsimons. 
Thomas B. Walker, 
W^m. J. .Spain, 
John TI. Malone, 
Peter Lawlor, 
Daniel P. Noonan, 
Edward H. Bowe. 
Martin Scully. 
John F. Gallagher, 
John F. Hayes, 
Robert Mackie. 
Chas. A. Fine, 
Charles A. Templeton, 
Geo. F. .Sellew, 
Herbert J. Phillips 
Chas. C. Dreher, 
Leavenworth P. .Sperry, 
Edson W^. Hitchcock. 
Chas. IT. Swenson. 



WATEF^LBURV AND THl': NAUGATUCK X'ALLEY lo 

HISTORY OF THE POLICE DICPARTMENT 

It is a far cry from the present police (iepartmcnl (if Waterhury. with its 
seventy-nine members, its modern hea(l(|uarters, its s]ilen(hil alarm system, to 
that humble beginning in 1854, when the Court of Common Cduncil named the 
eighteen constables for the newly incorporated city. 

In 1893, the beginning of the quarter century of this hislnr\ . the ilL-p.-irtmcnl 
was still under a Board of Police Commissioners, acting under the charier 
amendment of 1S72. George M. Egan was chief and under hiiu was a small but 
exceedingly efficient force of men. It was on Jaiuiar\' 3rst, of the year 1893, 
that the Mutual Aid Society was formed and this, an independent beneficiary 
organization, still thrives and pays out of its funds sick and death benelits. It 
has, however, no connection with the police pension fund, which was authorized 
by the Board of Public Safety on fJctober 17, i8go. 

It was not until August 5, 1902, however, that the l'.(i;ird of Trustees of the 
Reserve Fund of the Police Department of W'atcrburv was formally organized 
at a meeting in the city clerk's office, with Ccmimissioners Franklin A. Taylor, 
Dennis J. Eahey, Edward B. Hardie, I'eter B. Reeves, and < ieorgc B. I'.each pres- 
ent, all ex-officio luembers of the lioard of Trustees. At this meeting Mayor 
Edward G. Kilduff was elected president of the board. Cnmiuissioner Lahew 
secretary, and City Treasurer G. A. Gibson, treasurer. 

For some time previous money derived from time lost liy members of the de- 
])artment, properly found and not claimed, and fi\e ]ier cent of all liquor license 
money, had been accumulating. On .September <), 1902, Treasurer Gibson re- 
ported that he had followed out the authorization giNTii him to purchase city 
bends, and that the financial condition of the fund was as follmvs : 

84,000 City of Waterbury 3K jjer cent, Jamiary, ir)2r>, at 102.42 $ 4.096.80 

$4,000 City of Waterlniry 3IJ per cent, Jamiary. T925, at 102.35 4,094.00 

S2.OOO City of \\'aterbtn-y 3IJ per cent. J.'imiary. 11)24. at 102.28 2,045. rx> 

Interest, 2.S per cent 66.1 1 

$10,302.51 
Balance in savitigs bank 473 07 

The fund is now nearly $40,000, and the income from numerous sources is 
tueeting all demands. 

The first ])ension to be awarded from the fund was given to the widow of 
Policeman Paul Mendelssohn, who, on March 8, 11P3, was shot to death while 
in the performance of his duty. 

In 1896, under the revised charter, the departiuent came under the sui>er- 
vision of a Board of Public .Safety, the first members of which were Mayor 
Edward G. Kildufif, Ellis Phelan. ^^'m. C. Moore, Eugene J. Sullivan, George A. 
Driggs, J. Merritt Gallond. 

In 1901, the Gamewell police signal system, with twentv-two l)0xes. was 
installed, and this has since been greatly extended. 

On April 22. 1902, a detective bureau was formed, with T.ieut. Thoiuas Dodds 
in command. 

In J'innary. i'|04, when Mayor John P. Elton took the presidency of the 
Board of Pulilic Safety, its members were: Geo. M. Beach. George A. Driggs, 
M. J. Daly, Charles Y. Kent and Louis N. Van Keuren, and one of its first acts 
was the installation of the Bertillon system of identification. The first patrol 
wagon was put into ser^'ice !\Tarch i. 1005. The first auto patrol wagon was 
bought in 1910. 



16 WATERBURV AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

On October 28, 1905, Chief George AL Egan, who had been at the head 
of the department since 1884, retired, and the present superintendent, George 
M. Beach, was chosen to fill the vacancy. He had been a member of the Board 
of Public Safety. 

The police department lost some of its valuable records by the incendiary 
fire of 1912, when the old City Hall was burned. Speedy repairs enabled the 
])olice to re-occupy their old quarters within a month after the fire. 

The three platoon system was put into effect on May 5, 191 3. 

On Januar}' 13, 1916, the quarters in the new City Hall were occupied. A 
description of these appears in the article on the new City Hall. 

The Board of Commissioners of Public Safety at present (1917) is as fol- 
lows: Mayor Martin Scully, chairman; John C. Downey, .Alfred J. Wolff, John 
O'Brien, James Crompton, .'\rthur P.. Burton. 

WATERIirKV's rONSTAin:L.\RV KdlUK 

Early in 1915. several of the large manufacturing companies of Waterbury 
co-operated with the city in the establishment of a sj^ecial police or constabularj' 
force. 

The Scovill Mfg. Co., with its extensive jilanl and etjuipment and large 
factory additions under construction, faced the need of special protection for its 
plant and employees. The problem was solved by the establishment, with consent 
and co-operation of the city officials, of a uniformed constabulary, paid by the 
Scovill Mfg. Co., but under the direct supen'ision of George M. Beach, super- 
intendent of the Waterbury l)ei>artnient of Police. This took place on May 
21, 1915. 

Up to that time the "constabulary" consisted of ten men only, all members 
of the city supernumerary department, and was divided into two shifts, a day 
and night detail, each of twelve hours' duration. From that time on the con- 
stabularv' gradually was increased in number until it reached its present size of 
forty-seven members. The shortage of regular policemen to patrol the city 
streets, however, resulted in the detailing of many supernumeraries to regular 
jjolice beats, with the result that the supply of supernumeraries for appointment 
to the Scovill constabulary was finally exhausted. To offset this, the Board of 
Public Safety took advantage of an ordinance giving the Board of Aldermen the 
power to appoint special constables, by referring to them lists of names of ap- 
|)licants for appointment as supernumeraries, with the recommendation that they 
be appointed special constables. 

This procedure has since been followed out, and at iirescnt the constabulary 
consists of about fifty per cent supernumeraries and fifty per cent special con- 
stables. In several instances of late, where vacancies have occurred in the regular 
police force, the appointees were supernumeraries who had been members of the 
constabulary- and whose work in that capacity had earned their appointment as 
"regulars." The supernumerary's place was generally filled by the promotion of 
a deserving special constable. 

The constabulary is a department of police in itself, works on three eight-hour 
shifts daily, a roundsman being in charge of each shift. The members wear 
uniforms and arc equipped like members of the regular force. The roundsmen 
wear chevrons denoting their rank. 

.'\side from the daily compensation which they receive, members of the con- 
stabulary are well taken care of by their employers, the latter assuming all expense 
in fitting out the men with uniforms and equipment. In addition to this, the 



WAIl'kMl'kN- .WD THl' XAL"( ;.\TfCK \"ALLEV 17 

company has had rest stations erected, which are located on the various beats 
surrounding the huge jjlant. To these the members are [privileged to retire for their 
lunch and for short rests. 

In doing police duty, the men patrol only those thoroughfares adjoining the 
property of the company, and are not required to do duty inside of the plant, 
unless in cases of emergency. The company's patrol watchmen ser\e within the 
gates and do not go outside except in cases of emergency. 

The company has had erected five police signal boxes which arc connected 
with the I lamewell system at police headquarters, and from which the men send 
in their regular "rings." .\ telephone and call f(ir the patrol ha\e also been 
installed. 

The regular dciiartmcnt now consists of llic following officers and men: 
Superintendent, one police captain, one detective captain, two police lieutenants, 
one detective lieutenant, four police serge.ants, three detecti\e sergeants, 
three auto-patrol drivers, one court officer, tun motorcycle policemen, one secre- 
tary, one police matron, .-mil fifty-eight patrolmen. Three doormen also do duty 
at headquarters, but they are members of the supernumer.iry police force. 

.'\ similar auxiliary constabulary system ha^ been est.Lblishcd at the Chase 
plant, where fifteen special ]>olicemen are emplosed. all patrolling the beats about 
the plants, uiuformed, and in command of the suiierintendent of police. 

At the American I'.rass Works the constabulary, paid by the crmipany, but 
working in conjunction with the police, numbers sixteen men. 

.'\t several other plants the constabulary consists of from one to three men. 

The detective dejiartment, in charge of Ca])t. Thomas M. Dodds, has made 
a record for itself in the unearthing of crime. The most notalile case was the 
capture of the four men concerned in the nuirder. .March. i<X)5. of the aged 
recluse. Thotnas I.ockwood, who lived on the Park Road. The report that he 
was a miser and had a trunkful of gold in the place had aroused the cupidity of 
the men. Captain Dodds followed a number of clues, finally landing three of his 
men in Brooklyn. N. Y. Three of them were given life sentences. ,ind one. who 
had helped to plan the murder, was given a five-year term. 

The Carpenilla triple nuirder. September 2. 11)07. "f* followed l.>y some 
of the quickest and best detective work ever done in the state. The murderer 
had e.scaped and was caught on a train at .'^tamford on telegraphic orders which 
had covered every possible avenue of escape from the city. 

On September 20, iqck). occurred the murder at Union City of .Stanislaus 
Kulivinskis. In this case, one of the most harrowing on record, the detective 
department worked up the evidence to the minutest detail, showing how the 
woman in the case, Sophie Kritchman. had first shot the man. then allowed him 
to lie dying in the woods for twenty-four hours. She then went back and cut 
the man's throat with a razor. When she found later that he was still alive, she 
again shot him fi\e times and left him dead, as she thought. He was still breath- 
ing when discovered and died in a Waterbury hospital. The case first ended in 
a mistrial. Later, on a change of venue, she was convicted, together wnth her lover. 
Joe Mitchell : although the latter had no part in the actual murder he was given 
a life sentence and the wom.in was seiU up for from twehe to fourteen years. 

Tin-; TRoi.i..F.'i' sruiKi' oi' i()0_^ 

On Sunday morning. January 11. KJP^. approximately one hundred and 
fifty men in the eiuploy of the Connecticut Raihvay & Lighting Company, then 
operating the trollev system, refused to go to work. The immediate grievance 



18 WATERJiUKV AND THE NAUGATUCK \'ALLEY 

which precipitated the strike was the discharge of Wm. Barrett, an employee, who 
was president of the Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees, 
Local No. 193, and three others. 

On Saturday night, January lOth, the men met and formulated demands 
aside from that asking for the reinstatement of the discharged employees. They 
asked for recognition of the union, a ten-hour day at 22>^ cents per hour for 
all regular and extra work, and a company order that all employees join the 
union within thirty days after employment. 

Through its general manager, J. E. .Sewell, the company rejected the demands 
and informed the men that their places would be declared vacant if they failed 
to report for duty within twenty-four hours. 

On Monday, January 12th, no cars were regularly operated. On Wednesday, 
Januarj- 14th, the attempt to operate two cars was met with obstructive tactics 
l)y the strikers and their sympathizers. 

On Thursday, a few cars ran on the Watervitle line and later several were 
operated on the Oakville branch. .'Vt Waterville one of the cars was badly 
damaged by sympathizers, who had gathered outside one of the factories at the 
noon hour. 

On Friday, one hundred strike breakers were housed at the barns and the 
Oakville, Water\'ille, North Main and Bank Street lines were operated, but not 
on any regular schedule. 

On Saturday night crowds gathered near the barns and a riot was started, 
but no serious damage was done. 

In the meantime the efforts of the business men and of Mayor Kilduff and 
other city officials to effect a settlement failed completely, neither side expressing 
a willingness to make concessions. 

The strikers now began a .systematic boycott of individuals and business 
firms who showed evidences of friendliness to the company, and a period of terror- 
ism followed, in which the efforts of the company to run cars on schedule or at 
night only partially succeeded. The patronage was lacking, even on the lines 
which were operated with least opposition. 

The riots increased in intensity and finally on .Saturday night, January 31st, 
approximately four thousand people gathered along the principal downtown 
thoroughfares, the mob getting beyond the control of the police. Cars were 
stoned, the mayor was hooted, and in one attack a dozen were injured. One 
arrest was made by Dr. A. A. Crane, who witnessed an assault and captured the 
boy assailant. 

The officials called on the governor for aid, and the following day about eight 
hundred men from the First and Second Regiment, C. N. G., arrived on the scene. 
They remained until February loth. 

A period of comparative quiet followed, broken, however, for several suc- 
cessive Saturday nights by small rioting and wrecking of cars. 

Thus far in the strike many of the business houses sympathized with the 
strikers, but deprecated the continuous extension of the boycott. 

On Sunday night, March 8th, Officer Paul Mendelssohn, riding for the protec- 
tion of passengers on a North Main Street car, was killed by four masked men 
who had been lying in wait for their victim at Forest Park. 

The public attitude changed immediately from neutrality or sympathy to a 
determination to put a stop to outlawry. A Citizens' Alliance was formed and 
$6,000.00 reward was offered for the capture of the murderers. The movement 
was not confined to tliis action, however, but became a determined anti-bovcott 



W'ATl-IRBURV AND THE NAUGATUCK \ALLEY ll» 

cnisade. In a few days it numbered i.Ooo members and boycott cards which liad 
been posted throughout the city were torn down. 

It was plain that the strike was practically ended and that \iolencc had been 
responsible for the defeat of the labor cause. It was not, however, until August 
iith, that an oiificial announcement declared it oil. At that time, b\- .igreenient. 
most of the old men were taken back, all, in fact, except the leaders of the strike. 

On Monday, March 30th, eighteen were arrested by the police, of whom eight 
were held for complicity in the Faber's switch affair of February 2()th, which 
was an assault on George Morrisetta and Wni. I'. Merne. Six were con\icted 
of conspiracy and sentenced liy Judge Wheeler to ten months in jail. These sen- 
tences were never carried out, as the boys confessed and testified in the trial of 
Willis \'andemark, for perjury, the following June. He was convicted and sen- 
tenced to from two to three years in the penitentiary. 

No one was ever arrested or con\-icted frir the murder of < )f1icer Mendelssohn. 

Ki-;i'( iR'i III III III III-' rni.ic !■; i-:i;an 

'J'he following is the report of the chief of police on the strike: 

"C)n .Sunday morning, Januar\^ 11, iiK>.v W,-iti-r1>urv's lirsl iriille\' strike was 
inaugurated, and from that time until the I'nllowing Tlnirsd.n no attempt was 
made to run cars on any of the lino in the citv. I 'uring that iiiterwd considerable 
excitement was caused by the arrix.il of non-union trolleymen, .and the introduc- 
tion liy the strikers of vehicles of all kinds and descriptions for the I'onveyance 
of passengers. 

"On Thursday, January I5tli, the W'aterville and Oakville lines were o])ened, 
the cars running from about [O A. M. to 5 P. M., and upon the following day the 
Bank and North Main Street line was ojiened from the depot to Hill .Street. 

"On Monday. January loth, the South Main .Street line was opened from 
I'^xchange Place to ^lill Street, .-inil upon J;uuiary J2d the East Main .Street line 
was opened to ^^'olcott Street. Thus f.ir no attempt had been made tt) oi)erate 
the cars later than 5 130 P. M., l)nl on Jamtary jUth they were kept ruiming during 
the evening on the Waterville line, ami on the following evening they were run- 
ning to Oakville. On January 28th they continued to run during the evening on 
ihe Rank and North Main .Street line, and on the 30th they were running to 
.Naugatuck. 

"At that time the cars were rntming on schedule tiiue on all the lines except 
Bank .Street, from the depot to Porter .Street, and East Main .Street from Wolcott 
to Silver streets, and it was apparent that the trolley company could secure all the 
men it needed to run its cars, notwithstanding the abuse they were subject to. 

"On Saturday, January 31st, the cars were running on all lines the same as on 
the preceding day and there was no indication of unusual trouble until about 
I) P. M. Up to that time Exchange Place was filled with the usual Saturday 
night crowd, but, contrary to the usual custom, the crowd seemed to increase as 
it grew later, rather than diminish. About 0:30 I ordered the patrolmen from the 
outlying beats to come to Exchange Place, and requested the manager of the 
trolley company to withdraw the cars. 

"-\bout 10 P. M. the cars arriving in Exchange Place had many broken 
windows, which sight seemed to add greatly to the joy of th.e crowd there as- 
sembled. I again requested Mr. Sewell to withdraw the cars and was informed 
that such orders had been issued. 

".^bout 10:30 the crowd in Exchange Place was reinforced !>}■ those wdio h.'id 
attended the theaters, and from that time until about t A. M.. when the last car 



20 WATKRIU-RV AXD Till-. XAUGATUCK VALLEY 

was put in the barn, the police were unahle to protect the cars or llie men running 
them, from the mob. 

"{J\> to that night this department had received no outside assistance, not even 
from the local civil officers, nor had any been requested by the police authorities. 

■'After the riot, when it was evident to all that the police were not adequate 
to presen-e the peace, it was deemed advisable to call upon the county sheriff for 
assistance, and upon the following evening about lo o'clock, in response to that 
call, the entire First Regiment, four companies of the Second Regiment, and 
two machine guns arrived in the city, and in addition to the out-of-town troops 
the two local companies were called into service. 

"On the day following the arrival of the troops deputy sherifts commenced 
to arrive, so that on the Wednesday following fifty or more were in the city, a 
large number of whom were placed on duty on the cars. 

■'On Thursday. Februar}' 5th, four days after their arrival the First Regiment 
was withdrawn, and upon the following day the out-of-town companies of the 
Second Regiment were relieved. 

"On Feljruary loth, all except about a dozen of the sheriffs were relieved, thus 
leaving the situation again practically in the hands of the local authorities. 

'■.\bout the middle of Februarj' the situation was again greatly aggravated 
because of the strike of the linemen, lamp trimmers and inspectors of the lighting 
system of the city, which system was also owned by the trolley company. Wires 
were cut, lamps broken, the non-union linemen assaulted and abused, mostly in 
the outskirts of the city, and the few men still here under the sheriff, as well as the 
members of this department who could be spared from the trolley lines, were 
kept very busy in their endeavor to protect the city from darkness. 

"Thus far during the strike it was not deemed advisable to place ])olicemen 
on duty on the cars for the purpose of protecting them or their crews, but after 
the assault on the conductor and motorman on the Watcrville line on the evening 
of Fcbraary 2r)th, one jwliccman was placed on each car during the evening, and it 
was not until after March 8th. when Officer Mendelssohn was killed, that two men 
were placed on each car. 

"The strike caused an expense for state troops of $15,000.00; for sheriffs, 
$7,000.00, and for extra police, $5,000.00, a total of $27,000.00, and had the law- 
been the same then as at the present time, the city would have had to pay the 
entire amount. 

"It is not my pur])ose to enter into the full details of the trolley strike and 
the disorder arising therefrom, with which you are familiar, nor to offer excuses 
for the errors of judgment, if any there were, of those in authority, myself 
included. I simply desire to call your attention to certain features of the case, 
which, in my judgment, should the future develop like problems, can be more 
readily solved, and at much less expense. 

"In looking over the ground after the excitement is passed, it seems to me 
that it would have been wise to have placed enough extra policemen on duty when 
the strike was declared, not only to protect the cars and the men running them, 
but also to maintain good order in the streets. Had there been fifty extra police- 
men called into service when the strike was declared, and at least two of them 
])laced upon each car when they commenced to run, the rioting of January 31st 
would haye been unheard of, the so-called Waterville assault case, costing in 
court fees not less than $3,000.00, would not have occurred, and Officer Men- 
delssohn would not have been murdered. Had that course been adopted I fimily 
believe that the disturbance would have ceased much sooner than it did, that the 
presence of the county sheriff and State troops woukl have been unnecessary, and 




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FIRE CHIEF HEITMAN 



^ Wll I I, ( . s\A(,i, 

F I lih I I iiji r, Walrihin y Fire 

|l( h.ntiiiriif 



WA tI'Rhl'Rv a\I) iiii'; .\AL».ArL\K \ai.ij-:v 21 

the expense to the city for extra |)oHce would not have greatly exceeded the 
amount actually ex]iended for that ]iurpose." 

-ri>ij;i x I i:xiit;x 1 ia-:nK(a-; m. i;i;a(II 

Superintendent of Police George M. Beach was appointed head of the 
W'aterbury I 'olice Uepartiuent while ser\-ing as a niemlier of the Hoard nf Public 
Safety on May \). 11)05, but it was not until (3ctf)lier 2S. 1003, that he actually took 
charge, replacing George M. Egan, who went on the retired list with half pay 
for life. Before assuming charge (jf the dc])artinent, Superintrndi-nt Beach was 
employed bv the Waterbury Clock Company. 

Since taking office. Superintendent Beach lias often disjilayed the executive 
ability that pronounces his (|ualifications for the place, and has made a number of 
changes in police methods both as to office systems and the detailing of men. 
which have resulted in imitroxed police service, lie i< a strict disciplinarian and 
has always required his men rigidly to adhere to departmental rules and orders. 

.Superintendent Beach is a member of the execiUixc committee of tlie Inter- 
national Association of Chiefs of Police, and it is due in part to this association 
that he has been al.)le to establish his department on its present excellent basis, and 
kee[i in touch with inilice dep;irtmcnts throughout the criuntrv. 

SKETCH oi- i-oi;mi-,i; ciiii-:i-" cixikcic m. |':c..\x 

Former Chief (ieorge M. b'gan has an cn\iable record as head of the police 
department of Waterbury for twenty-one years, and a member of the department 
for twentv-nine vears. Chief Kgan was made a ])atrolman on .Ajiril 8, 1876, and 
pr(jmoted to the position of I'hief on February 17, 1884. He retired October 28, 

1905- 

Uuring his term of office, the detecti\e force was est.ablished, the Gamewell 
police signal svstem was installed .\ugust 17, igoi, and the Bertillon system 
of identification was introduced. 

IIIS'IOKV 111- IIII. I IRI-: riEIWKT.MKNT. l8<-)3-T0I7 

In i8<)3. the Waterbury l-'ire Department consisted oi seven companies: 
Phoenix Xo. i. Citizens Xo. j. Monitor No. 3. Protector No. 4, Rose Hill No. 5, 
Brass City No. (>. and Mutual Hook and Ladder No. i. Samuel C. Snagg was 
then chief engineer, and had under him 267 officers and men, mostly \'olunteers. 
The permanent force consisted of the chief, four drivers, one tillerman. two 
hosemen. and one laddemian, — a total of eight men. The reni.ainder were volun- 
teers. The property of the department was \alucd at $102,830. .\ fire alarm 
telegraph had been installed with forty-six alarm boxes, at a cost of $9,800. It 
was an up-to-date equipment for that period. In 181J4. the \ olunteers had increased 
to 290. In 1895. the paid force had increased to twelve, the volunteers remaining 
about the same. 

In 1897, the Burton Street building was put into service and housed Engine 
Company No. i and Hook and Ladder No. 2. The permanent force now con- 
sisted of eighteen men, the call force of nine men and the volunteers numbered 
243, all divided into nine companies. In that year also the first combination 
chemical and hose wagon was ])Ut into service with Phoenix Company No. 1. 

In 1898, the volunteers were gr.eatly reduced. 1 10 men remaining in 
service and the permanent and call force was increased. In fact, the present 
efficient paid department may be said to date from this period. 



22 \VATi:RnURY AND Till': NAUGATUCK WALLEY 

In i8<>y, the permanent force was again increased, the total number in service 
being 17 officers and 144 men. In that year there remained only three volunteer 
companies. 

In 1902, after llic big fire, a first-class Metropolitan engine and hose wagon 
were added to the equipment. The total force remained about the same as in 1899. 

In 1903 the Brooklyn Engine House was added to the department, in 1905 
the Willow Street House was added, and in 1908 the Baldwin Street fire house 
was opened, the Rose Hill Volunteer Company going out of existence. 

In 190S. the equipment was enlarged by the addition of the first auto hose 
wagon and a car for the chief engineer. In 1909 a chemical auto engine was added. 
In 1911, the first auto pump engine was placed with Engine House No. 5 on 
East Main Street. The permanent force was now seventy-seven, and there were 
no volunteers and no call men. 

In 1913, a Robinson combination pump and hose auto was bought and 
placed with Engine No. 3. This is the largest piece of equipment in the 
department. 

In 1914, the chief engineer, Samuel C. Snagg, retired after thirty-two years 
as chief engineer, and his place was filled bj' the appointment of the present chief 
engineer and fire marshal, Henry H. Heitman, who has just celebrated his twenty- 
fifth year of service as a fireman. During that year, an underground cable system 
for the alarms was put into operation. 

In 191 5, two .'\merican-LaErancc auto puni]) engines were pl.iced in service 
with Engine Companies No. 3 and 4. 

In 1916, a new 75-foot aerial truck was bought and placed with Truck Com- 
pany No. I. In that year, the headquarters of the department were moved to 
the City Hall, and in April the truck company from the Scovill Street House was 
transferred to headquarters. 

In 1916, another combination chemical and hose auto was bought and placed 
in headquarters. A triple combustion chemical hose and pump was bought and 
placed in Willow Street. 

The department in 191 7 coiTsists of eighty-five paid officers and men. The 
valuation of the property of the department on January i, 191 7, was $322,365.00. 

An interctsing fact in this history is the passing of the fire <lepartment horse. 
There are today only six horses used by the fire fighting forces of Waterbury. 

One of the most important additions to the department in recent years was 
the installation of the semi-automatic central fire alarm station at headquarters 
on Field Street. 

The main function of the station is to receive and transmit signals from the 
various boxes. The system, as constructed, may receive and record at the same 
time eighteen alarms, and in turn transmit to the houses the alarms so that in a 
space of three minutes there can be received at least two rounds of the eighteen 
calls for record. The ec|uinment was installed at a cost to the city of $20,000. 

RFU'ORT 01" CIIIK.F SN.VGG ON TlIK CO\FLAGR.\TION OF FEBRUARY 2 AND 3, I9O2 

The largest fire in the history of Waterbur)' occurred February 2 and 3. 1902, 
and for the purposes of this history the most complete description of it is in the 
official report of Samuel C. Snagg, then chief engineer of the department, which 
follows : 

February 2d, at 6:20 P. M., an alarm was turned in from box 7 for a fire 
in the Camp Building, Nos. loS to 120 Bank Street. The building was five stories 
lii^h with a ground dimension of 61 by 94 feet. The Reid & Hughes Dry Goods 



\\'ATER11UKV AND THE XAUGATUCK VALLEY 23 

Cunii-iany occu])icd the three lower stories, the upper lieiiig occupied Ijv a business 
college and societies. 

The first intimation of the fire was the blowing out of the windows on the 
third floor front of the building, which was followed by a dense smoke and flame, 
pieces of cloth on fire being blown to the sidewalk on the opposite side of the 
street. The companies were prompt in responding and quickly had streams of 
water playing on the fire. Hardl\- had they begun work ere the large windows 
in the first story were blown out, followed by a sheet of flame which enveloped 
the men, driving them from the immediate front of the building. The first-story 
windows in the rear of the building were blown out at this time. 

LTpon my arrival on the fire ground I found the fire not only attacking the 
buildings on the east side of Bank Street, but crossing the narrow passway in 
the rear of the Camp Building and attacking the five-story Schlegel Building; a 
line of hose was at once ordered and ([uickly gotten to this point anil an effort 
made to keep the flames from penetrating this building. 

At 6:35 P. M. I ordered a second alarm turned in, thus calling the entire 
department into service. The high wind prevailing at the time had increased in 
force to such an extent that the flames were being driven with fearful rapidity 
across Bank Street, also attacking the buildings both north and south of the Camp 
Building. The network of electric light wires on the east side of Bank Street 
had begun to burn ofi and drop to the ground, or hang in mid-air, making" it 
extremely dangerous for the men and also making their efi"orts ineft'ective at 
times. Realizing the perilous condition under which the men were working, I 
requested Mayor Kilduff to notify those in charge of the power-house that the cur- 
rent must be cut oft' all wires running north from Meadow Street, and this was done 
after warning had been given as to the responsibility should any lives be lost b\- 
reason of the condition of these wires. 

The flames, fanned by the increasing high wind, made rapid strides through 
the buildings on the east side of Rank Street to the west side of South Main 
Street, although heroic eft'orts had l)een made by the men to prevent it. The fire 
had already invested the Schlegel Building and its destruction was but a question 
of minutes. ,\id had been asked from New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport, and 
Torrington, each of these pl.aces responding with an engine and hose wagon. 
-Vaugatuck and Watertown, learning of our distress, sent men with apparatus, 
who were soon at work at the points assigned them. 

In the meantime, the fire had spread from the Schlegel Building to the Franklin 
1 louse and the New England Engineering Company's building on Grand Street. 
Aid was rendered by several of our manufacturing establishments by sending hose, 
which was used until after the fire was under control. On Bank Street, hard 
work had been and was now being done to keep the flames from licking up all the 
buildings from Center Street to Grand Street, and the efforts of the men were 
linally rewarded. They had succt-ssfully cut out and saved a portion of the build- 
ings on this street near these two pciints. The willingness of the captains to carry 
out their orders to their men anil the determination of the men "in an eff'ecti\e 
wav" to assist in executing those orders w.as \-ery gratifying to me. 

A hard fight was going on in South Main Street to keep the fire from crossing 
to the east side. Although not wholly successful, a very creditable stand was 
made, and both officers and men worked in a manner most commendable. 

< Irand Street at this time was losing its row of handsome five-story builijings, 
the flames having gotten into them, spreading from the Franklin House to the 
Jacques Building and not being checked until it reached within one building of 
Leavenworth Street. The attempt to prevent the spread of the fire at this point 



24 \\ATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \^'\LLEY 

was not carried on with any degree of success whatever. Owing to the lack of 
hose and the want of an additional hydrant on Grand Street, the chance of 
preventing the destruction of these buildings was very discouraging. At this time 
our own department had nineteen streams playing on the tire, water being taken 
from fourteen hydrants. There was an abundance of water and good pressure, 
but the streams most of the time were ineffective by reason of what was little 
i.hort of a gale blowing. 

Upon the arrival of the firemen from other cities with their engines and 
hose, they were assigned by me to hydrants and positions at the fire. They were 
a most welcome addition to our fire-fighting force. These men, when on the 
road to render us aid, fully realized the task our department had on hand, and 
the willing and effective manner in which they carried out the work assigned them 
vvas highly commendable. 

Torrington men with their apparatus were first to go into action, their engine 
being stationed at the hydrant at the corner of Grand and Canal streets and hose 
laid in on Bank Street. New Haven was.by some person without authority located 
on lower Bank Street. As soon as this was discovered, the men were changed 
to East ^lain Street, their engine stationed at the hydrant at the Piatt Building 
and hose lined in on Bank Street. Hartford was stationed at the northeast corner 
of Center Scjuare, their engine attached to the same hydrant as our No. 2 engine, 
and their hose laid in on South Main Street. Bridgeport was assigned to the 
hydrant at the corner of Bank Street and Harrison Avenue, and their hose lined 
in on South Main Street. Naugatuck and Watertown were assigned to posi- 
tions on both Grand and South Main streets. 

Up to the time of the arrival of the out-of-town companies, the firemen in 
our department had passed through an ordeal such as has been the lot of but 
lew men in their vocation. On the street, in buildings, and on the tops of build- 
Migs, they were constantly facing danger, and in one instance half the men of one 
company providentially escaped being killed. When the spread of the fiames 
had been checked at all points and thoughts had been turned to relieving our 
out-of-town friends, I received word that the Scovill House was on fire. This 
was about 4:20 A. M., February 3d, and at this time an alarm was being run in 
from Box 7. 

Chief Fancher of New Haven and 1 were engaged in conversation when this 
message was received ; his men were directing a stream on the ruins of the 
Jones & Morgan Building. Upon my giving him the infonnation I had received, 
he at once ordered his line changed and soon had a stream on the first fioor of the 
Scovill House. This fire originated in a basement room known as the stock-room. 
Prior to my receiving word of this fire, Assistant Chief O'Brien had gotten a line 
of hose, manned by Watertown firemen, into the basement and had a stream at 
work. Orders were at once given for all hose leading from the engines to be 
brought to different points about this building and in a very short time each 
engine had powerful streams at work ; hose leading from some hydrants were 
changed, and additional streams directed on this fire. Fortunately, but one 
engine had to change its location to reach this fire. 

The building was situated vcr)' close to the buildings on the east side, being 
separated only by a four-foot passway on the south side, Harrison Avenue 
ran between it and the buildings there ; on the west, a driveway separated it from 
the City Hall. Twelve streams were brought to bear on the Scovill House and 
the buildings nearby. The fire made rapid strides through the burning building 
in spite of the efforts of the men to prevent it, and its total destruction was a 
tiuesion of a very short time. By hard work, the City Hall building was saved. 



WATERBUKV AND THE NAUGATb'CK WALLEY 2."> 

Oh the east side there was a hard light to keep tiie tire from the Hodson Ijuilding, 
Exchange Hotel, and other buildings ; on Harrison Avenue the boys were per- 
sistent and kept the buildings at that point from harm. 

This was certainly a grand fight, all things considered, and all who took part 
can but look with pride upon their work. Without our out-of-town friends and 
their engines and hose, this wotild have been a fire almost, if not fully, as dis- 
astrous as the fire that had already filled the hearts of our people with terror. One 
of the employees of the Scovill House lost his life in this fire. This was doubted 
by many, but proved only too true, as his remains were found by parties excavat- 
ing in the ruins some weeks afterward. 

The origin of both these fires will, in my opinion, always remain unsolved. .\ 
thorough investigation has been made, but nothing ascertained that would throw 
any light on the real cause. Many tlieories have been advanced, such as incen- 
diary, gas, hot air, combustion, electric light wires, and rubbish in cellar : these 
were given to the fire in the Camp IJuilding. To,.the Scovill House, incendiarism 
or a lamp explosion in the stock-room were the most probable, especially the 
latter, all electric currents and gas having been turned oft from the city at the time 
of the latter fire. 

This conflagration brought uut the necessity (if a larger and Ijclter I'fjuipped 
fire department; the very forcible illustration that we should have none but a 
paid service and that composed of men of stature, muscle and brain, endowed 
with courage. The service rendered our city by the officers and men from other 
towns will always be held in grateful remembrance by all our townspeople, and 
I am pleased to say that the Honorable I'.dard of I'uljlic Safety iiromptly took 
recognition and so notified the proper ol'ficials in the cities and towns whose fire- 
men were with us that eventful night and morning. 

The firemen of our own (ie])artment who ])erformed service this nunmralile 
night and morning are entitled to the highest praise which can be given them. 
Their work on that occasion speaks volumes for them, and brings out vividly 
the fact that Waterbury had firemen in her fire department who should be looked 
upon with especial pride and who are sure to give a creditable account of their 
services whenever called tipon. 

On Bank Street, thirteen buildings were totally destroyed, one being a tein- 
])orary two-stor>' frame structure. Eight sustained a partial or slight loss. Of 
the buildings totally destroyed, two were fi\e stories, five four stories, five three 
stories, and one one-story high. 

On Grand Street, seven buildings were totally destroyed and seven sustained 
a partial or slight loss. Of the buildings totally destroyed, six were five stories 
and one four stories high. 

On West Main Street, one building ( .'^covill House) was totalh- destroyed 
and three sustained a partial or slight loss. 

On Center Street, three buildings sustained a slight loss. 

With the exception of the two-story frame structure, all buildings totally 
destroyed w^ere of brick and twenty-nine in number. 

The area burned over was about two and three-fourths acres. Si.\ million 
gallons of water were used. 

\'alue of buildings and contents, fire of 2nd $i.!~!o3.i72.57 

Value of buildings and contents, fire of _^rd ,^41.500.(10 

Trita! valuation ^-■^44f'7--57 



26 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Loss on buildings and contents, fire of 2nd $1,218,926.30 

Loss on buildings and contents, fire of 3rd 153.795-19 

Total loss $1,372,721.49 

Insurance on buildings and contents, fire of 2nd $1,498,911.00 

Insurance on buildings and contents, fire of 3rd 172,600.00 

Total insurance $1,671,51 i.oo 

Insurance paid on loss of buildings and contents, fire of 2nd $ 915,571.27 

Insurance paid on loss of buildings and contents, fire of 3rd 69,207.78 

Total insurance paid $ 984,779.05 

I-IKICS OF ,\ QUARTER CENTURY 

The following is a record of notable fires of the past c|uarter century: 

1893 — January. Clothing store of F. P>. Merriman was burned; loss, $I2,000. 

.\pril 19. Lilley Block (South Main Street) was seriously damaged; loss, 
$64,000. 

April 21. Casting shop of llohnes. Booth i^- lTa\(lcns was burned; loss. 
.S^.^ioo. 

April 24. Office of Benedict iJt P.urnham Mfg. Co. seriously damaged; loss, 
•'!»' 6,932. 

Oct. 16. Factory of Waterbury Spoke and Handle Co. destroyed ; loss, $2,200. 

1894 — February. Arcade Building, owned by R. K. Brown, was destroyed, and 
the store of Miller & Peck, adjoining, was seriously damaged ; total loss, $8o,000. 

Dec. 28. This was the date of what is known as the "Piatt Block Fire." It 
destroyed the second and third stories and their contents. The total loss was 
$68,944.73. Total insurance paid was $65,147.93. 

1895 — June. A fire started in the center of the Randolph & Clowes Mfg. Co.'s 
plant. By hard work the firemen got the fire under control before it had spread 
to any extent. So pleased was George H. Clowes, of the Randolph & Clowes 
Company, that he called ex-Chief Samuel C. Snagg to his office, before the last 
line of hose had been taken up. and presented him with a check for $100 for the 
department. The loss at this fire w-as $17,511.60. 

Nov. 20. On this date occurred what is known as the "North End Fire 
Epidemic." five barns in the district being burned, causing damage to the sum of 
$7.471. 00. 

1896 — January. The lamp department of the Holmes. Booth & Haydens Com- 
pany was burned. Loss, $17,000. 

March 28. This is the date of the Waterbury City Lumber & Coal Co. fire. 
The loss was $59,855.34. Insurance paid was $55,825.34. Fifteen horses per- 
ished in the fire. Lilley, Swift & Co., and \'alcntine Bohl &: Co. also sustained 
considerable loss from this fire. 

Nov. 28. Jacques' .Auditorium was burned. Loss was $13,459. 

1897 — September. The Waterbury American Building was seriously damaged 
Loss, $12,000. 

i8<)9 — November i. South Waterbury (Simonsville) fire. Simon's Block, 
corner Middle and Simon streets, and nine dwellings destroyed. Loss. $50,000. 

1902 — Feb. 1-2-3. On these dates occurred the big Waterburj' fire. 

1912 — .April 22. The City Hall was totally destroyed. On the day of this 



\\at1':rl;ukv axd Tin-: xaucatuck \allev 27 

tire, several other dangerous fires occurred, some liapiiening when the City Hall 
was burning, thus causing great confusion and excitement. 

April 3. Baptist Church on Grand Street destroyed ; loss, $50,000. 

1915 — December. Buckingham Street fire. Four fine residences destroyed. 
Total loss was $35,000. 

1916 — Jan. 3. The Connecticut Hotel un Center Street was gutte<l by a 
mysterious fire, which resulted in the loss of one life and the destruction of the 
hotel. Six other guests were seriously injured in escaping. 

i-(ikmi-:k (.11 1 El' i;ni;i.m-.iu; s.vmcei. (■. sx.xcr, 

Samuel Craft Snagg was born in Westport, November 18, i84(). He came 
to Waterbury in 1856, and was educated at the high school. On March 5, 1862, he 
enlisted at New Haven, in Company C. b'irst Regiment, Connecticut Heavy Artil- 
lery, the enlistment being credited to Waterbury. At Arlington Heights, in 
March, 1864, he re-enlisted to serve until the end of the war. 

Among the engagements in wdiich he participated were those of Yorktown, 
Fair Oaks, and Malvern Hill. He was mustered out of the Army of the James 
at Alexandria, \'a., and, returning to Waterbury, foll(_)wed his trade of machinist 
until his election to the head of the fire department, on February 3, 1S82. 

For nearly half a century he was connected with the fire department, having 
joined it in February, 1868. He was a charter member of Monitor Hose Com- 
pany, No. 3, and was foreman of the company for three terms. Previous to 
his appointment as chief engineer, he had filled the oflices of third ;ind second 
assistant engineer. 

In 1914, he retired from the department. His loy.al and faithful sen'ice was 
acknowledged by an appropriate pension. 

Chief Engineer Snagg succeeded Andrew W. Goldsmith. Following is a 
list of those who have served as chief engineers from the date of the reorgan- 
ization of the department until the city charter of 1853 to the present time: 
Edward S. Clark, Henry Merriman, James P. Goodwin, Willis Merrill, B. P. 
Chatfield, William Laird, Homer D. Bronson, Andrew W. Goldsmith. .Samuel C. 
Snagg and Henry W. Heitman, the present chief engineer. 

CHIEF ENGINEER IIENRV II. HEITMAN 

Chief Henry H. Heitman, horn in I'.rooklyn, X. V., on August 14, 1864, was 
appointed to the permanent force of the fire department on October 13, 1892. 
He received his education in New York and later moved to this city. 

Manifesting a keen interest in the work of the department, he served in the 
volunteer ranks for a few years previous to his appointment to the permanent 
force. He was assigned to duty at the Scovill .Street house. His executive 
ability was soon recognized, and on October 12, 189S, he was appointed cai)tain of 
the Scovill Street house. On October 14. ifjoo. he was appointed drillmaster. 
He was promoted again on November i, iijir, to the position of deputy chief. 
Upon the retirement of ex-Chief Samuel C. Snagg, Deputy-Chief Heitman was 
honored by the appointment as head of the department, in which capacity he now 
serves. On October 13, njij, he celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his 
connection with the department. 



28 \\atI':rhl:ry and tiiI': nal'gatuck \ alley 

THi; IIEAI,TI1 DEPARTMKNT 

The lieallli department has kepi pace in its development, not only with the 
growth of the city, but more itiiportant still, with development along protective 
lines in all the larger communities of the country. Today in the matter of milk 
inspection, of food inspection, of medical work in the schools, the city's health 
program ranks with the best in the country. 

Dr. C. W. S. Frost, who was the Waterbury health officer in 1899 1900 and 
1901, agitated strongly in that period for the registration of all cases of tuber- 
culosis, although these years were exceptionally good from the standpoint of 
health. It was in 1902 that this suggestion took practical shape, a regulation 
which is now an important feature of health work everywhere. 

In 1902 I3r. Thomas J. Kilmartin was made health officer and had at once a 
smallpo.x epidemic to contend with. In all ninety-seven cases were reported, 
with a mortality of less than 3 per cent. 

During 1904 the health department made two important advances. The first 
was the establishment of a restricted bacteriological service for the confirmatory 
diagnosis of disease and the other was the inauguration of medical inspection 
of pupils in the schools. Two physicians were named to devote one hour of every 
school morning to the examination of the children. A stricter enforcement for 
the registration of tuberculosis cases was also instituted. 

In 1905, after the legislature had granted the board of health power to make 
its own regulations for the preservation of the public health, a sanitary code 
was adopted for Waterbury by the Board of Aldermen at the suggestion of the 
health board. This governed the handling of contagious diseases, the care and 
sale of milk, and provided for the prevention of spitting in public places. 

In 1906 the bacteriological work was greatly extended, and the code was 
enlarged by the addition of regulations governing the condemnation of unsuitable 
foods. Thus gradually the city was becoming thoroughly metropolitan in its 
advanced health work. The death rate in that year was 15.6, which compares 
favorably with other cities the size of Waterbury. The birth rate for 1901 was 
28.6 per thousand, better than most cities. 

During 1907 a movement for cleaning up the yards of the city was begun 
and with the help of the clergy and other public-spirited citizens, proved a decided 
success. This has been kept uj) ever since and has given Waterbury a decidedly 
bmshed-up appearance in its residential section. 

In 1908 the mortality rate for Waterbury was 14.7 per thousand, the lowest 
it had been in some years. 

The Board of Public Health, acting under the new state law, organized in 
January, 1910, with Dr. A. 1). N'ariell, president ; Dr. Charles Engelke, health 
officer; Dr. E. W. Goodenough, medical inspector of schools; J. A. Lundin, sani- 
tary inspector; Dr. D. B. Deming, bacteriologist; and Dr. P. S. Keeley, milk 
and food inspector. 

In this year the appearance of typhoid in the outlying watershed districts 
caused an immediate inspection of the city's reservoirs, and a careful guarding 
of its supply. These timely precautions saved the city from what might have 
become an epidemic. The water, tested daily, was found to be in unusually good 
condition throughout this period. 

In 191 1 the appropriation was enlarged to admit of experiiuenting in the 
analyzing of milk for the presence of bacteria, a great advance in the health 
work of the city. 

In 1912 Dr. T. J. Kilmartin was reappointed health inspector, which position 



\\ATI'Ri;L-kN' AXI) Till- XAL'i iATUC K \ AIJ.l'A 2!i 

he still occupies. T. F. Carniody was appointed j^rcsideiit of the Board of 
Commissioners of Public Health. This year was marked hv the appointment of 
a tenement house inspector, another great advance in health work. 

In 1902 a crematory for the disposal of the city's ^arhage was installed at 
Waterville and was in use until 191 i. wlu-n a contract was awardcil for removal 
of garbage and its feeding to swine. 

The garbage collecting and disposal is n(]w in cliargi- of a super\isnr, |ohn P. 
Caffery. The city has sixteen wagons collecting. The garli.igu is used for feeding 
swine, and is turned over free to those who collect. Tl is costing the city 
approximately $27,000 a year to collect and dispose of its garl)agc. A decade 
ago the cost, with a population much less, was over $24.(K)0. The collection now 
includes Waterville, East Farms, and Town Plot. 

In 1916 the epidemic of infantile paralysis was met 1)\' a stringently enforced 
quarantine. The result was that there were hut seventeen cases in Waterburv, 
In October of that year, however, Miere was a snial'jiox c]iidcmic to contend witli. 
So drastic were ihe jirecautions that there Ins in nji- been no sign of a 
recurrence. 

In 1917 the Commissioners of the Hoard of llcalth officials are as follows: 
Board members. Dr. J. D. Freney, T. F. Carniody, Charles A. Babin. Dr. W. L. 
Barber, Sr., George Hargraves : heallh officer. Dr. T. J. Kilmartin ; sanitary 
inspector, Edward F. Callahan ; milk and food inspector. Dr. Peter F. Keeley ; 
bacteriologist, Dr. T. F. Healey ; tenement house inspector, Thomas B. Moran ; 
superintendent of garbage collection, John P. Caffery ; medical inspectors of 
schools, Dr. J. W. Fruin, Dr. C. A. Monagan ; school nurses. Miss Mary Monagan, 
Mrs. Annie Grady; dcrk and secretary to health department, Lucy J. Reid. 

The latter was appointed the first clerk of the health dei);irtnient in 191 1 and 
has since held that position. 

THI-: I'.l.i.VRD 111" ( 1I.\RITIES 

The work of the Board of Charities is de\-oted largely lo the care of the city's 
poor. The city almshouse, which, in 1902, was given the name of Brookside, now 
houses about one hundred and fifty inmates, and this has been its average for 
nearly two decades. It was built in 1892, and in the past twenty-five years many 
improvements have been made, the exterior of the building remaining about as it 
was at the beginning of this quarter century, 1893. 

The average of tubercular patients sent by the board to the Meriden State 
.Sanitarium in the past five years has been about fifty: to the Shelton State 
Sanitarium, about five: to the Hartford State Sanitarium, eight, and to the Nor- 
wich .State Sanitarium, two. 



CHAPTER III 
TIIK CIIVS TillVSlCAL I'ROP.l.F.MS AND CHAXGES 

ITS SITIC NOT IDEAL — RECONSTRUCTION Ol'" LKADING THOROUGHIARES ITS NEW 

BRIDGES ^THE WATER SYSTEM AND THE BUILDING OK ITS GREAT CHAIN OF RESER- 
VOIRS — THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL PLANT NOT YET COMPLETED LONG LITIGATION 

WITH FACTORY OWNERS — SEWER CONSTRUCTION OF A QUARTER CENTURY THE 

NAUGATUCK RIVER CONSERVATION PLAN — THE WATERBURY-DERBY BARGE CANAL 
PROJ ECT. 

Rapid growth in population and a site remarkable for its natural perversities 
have combined to make the ordering of Waterbury's physical growth a cluster of 
complex and difficult problems. The growth in population has been far greater 
than the average for New England cities, and has been equalled by few commu- 
nities in the older states. 

With all due respect to the forefathers who founded and developed Watcrbury, 
it inust be conceded that they did not select an eligible site for a large industrial 
city. When the reasonably level land which formed the river valley was occupied, 
and the city began to expand in all directions, it was found that all future growth 
must be uphill. The hills were many, steep and rocky, the ground was obdurate. 
Builders have discovered that it may cost nearly as much to blast out a cellar as 
to build a small house, while on the other hand a pocket of fine building sand, a 
commodity which is as good as gold in Waterbury, may be unearthed and sold 
for enough to pay for excavation. Most streets and many building sites call for 
expensive grading and sometimes there is filling to be given away and at other 
points it brings a premium. 

On account of the hilly contours and gravelly soil, highways are expensive 
to build and maintain and much j^ermanent paving is needed, more in fact than 
the city has been able to provide. Water and gas mains and sewer lines must 
frequently be laid for considerable distances through rock. 

The approaches to the city running through narrow valleys or over consid- 
erable hills are difficult. \\'hen the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad 
double-tracked the Naugatuck division through ^^'aterbury in IQO5-7, it was 
necessary to move or divert the Naugatuck River in places to find room for a 
reasonably straight double track. 

The supply of water, of whicii large quantities are necessary in brass manvi 
facture for the washing of brass, is none too large for the future development of 
the typical industry, and most important of all, the need for potable water to 
maintain the constantly growing population in health and comfort, renders it 
necessary to go farther afield. The central portion of Connecticut is so largely 
urban that towns and cities are competing for available water supplies and 
choice is no longer free. Pure water must be had and it is difficult to secure it 
and expensive to deliver it. 

The newest and most per])lcxing problem, because still only partially settled, 
is the disposal of waste matter, in which the rights of the down-stream commu- 
nities and property holders are involved, and the question of sewage disposal, 

30 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY ^'-l 

whicii lias liCL'ii \-exing us for twenty years, still lacks its pernianent sdlutioii. 
This added anxiety, peculiar to an inland city with many neighhors, seems an 
unjust addition to the physical difficulties with which VVaterbury has so bravely 
and successfully contended. The need of constant planning ahead with careful 
foresig'ht has been imperative because the growth of the city would not wait for 
time to solve its probleius. A community which grows from 28,000 people in 
1890, to 45,000 in 1900, and 73,000 in 1910, and in 1917 knows it has 100,000 and 
sees every prospect of doubling in size in the next twenty years, must needs take 
time by the forelock and es])ecially when it has more than ordin.ary natural diffi- 
culties to master. 

For these reasons the physical development of W'aterbury has been largely 
an engineering problem and it has been engineering of a most interesting kind. 
It has been grappled with boldly and we have been fortunate in having at our 
command men who with clear eyes and a faith in the city's future have done 
enduring work wisely and economically so that the community and its industries 
are not weighted down with lio]X'lessly large obligations as a pernianent mortgage 
upon the future, 

THF. Ri-:roxs-rRrcTTON oi' lil.vdixc |-in>i;m-(-;HF.\Ri-s 

Waterbury is principally indebted for the present satisfactory condition of 
its physical eciuipment, and its consequent opportunities for further ]irogress, to 
the life work of one man. Robert A. Cairns, its city engineer, anrl to the co-opera- 
tion and loyal backing which he has bad from a long line of mayors and boards 
of aldermen. It is due to the official co-operation which he has enjoyed that there 
is no city department in which the evidences of growtli for the ]iast quarter 
century are so clear as in that of the city engineer. 

During this period the changes have been not alone in the mere housing of 
its continually growing population and in the increase of its business buildings, but 
far more notably in giving to Waterbury the physical aspect of a great muiiici|)ality. 

It is especially in the reconstruction of its leading tlioniuglifares that liistory 
has been made in this quarter century. 

The widening of Grand Street in 1909 and tiie widening of Meadow .Street 
during the same year, eliminating .South Willow and Cedar streets. w:is ;i particu- 
larly important betterment. This means that Meadow Street now nin> continu- 
ously from West Main to South Main streets, and that there is a fine approach 
to the City Hall, Library and LTnion Station. The Liberty Street ojiening shortly 
afterwards gave a Txi-foot street between Hank and Lenedict streets. The Jeffer- 
son Street extension to South Elm Street in i<|i 1 was .a splendid inipro\-enient for 
that section. 

The opening of Robbins .Street in 11)07 w.is ;niotli(r \ .ilu.able inipnix eiiieiit in 
the highway system of the city. 

In 1014 Thomaston Avenue was laid out with a unifurni width of iifty feet 
to Waterville. In that work the railroad agreed to re-locate the trade of the 
Naugatuck division and the citv lowered by six feet for a length of 1,000 feet a 
36-inch water main. 

In 1914 also Watertown .\\enue from Steele's r.rocik liridge to the Driving 
Park was built by the state, the lirst ]iiccc of concrete highway in W.itei-lniry. 

During 1918, or as soon as the courts have settled on damagt s, l.eaxenworth 
.Street is to be widened to fifty feet between Grand and West Main streets. 

The most imjiort.'int im|nT)vement of this char;ieter now begun is that on 
Huntington Avenue. A street fiftv feet wide from Tboni.-ision Avenue to 



32 WATERBLTRY AND THE NAUGATUCK \'ALLEY 

Watertown Avenue has been laid out. This, when completed, will eliminate a 
detour of three miles to a section that has been growing phenomenally along 
manufacturing and residential lines. There will be three bridges in this new 
street. .An expensive and much-needed grade crossing is to be provided for. It 
is also the purpose of the city to locate the West Main Street steel bridge over 
ilie Naugatuck River. Steele's Brook bridge will necessarily be raised. 

There are today approximately twenty miles of permanently paved streets in 
W'aterbury. This reckoning includes all of those constructed of granite, vitrified 
lirick. bitulilliic asphalt and as])lialt, but not macadamized streets. 

THE CO.N'.STRUCTIOX Ol' NKW I'.KIDGES 

Side bv side with highway construction goes the providing of bridges and 
W'aterbury is necessarily a city of many bridges. The winding Naugatuck River 
with its numerous triliutaries would set us a])art from our neighbors if it were 
not for tlie building of bridges, large and small. This work has been particularly 
active during the last ten years. 

In 1905 the city constructed Steele's Brook bridge. This is a reinforced con- 
crete girder bridge, sixty feet wide, with two 20-foot spans, the axis of the bridge 
being at an angle of fifty-five degrees. This gave a TjO-foot street where it had 
been only eighteen. 

The (Irandview Avenue bridge over Robbins .Street, built in 1907, is a rein- 
forced concrete girder bridge with a 40-foot span. It carries across an important 
highway what will eventually become a noble residential boulevard. 

In i<X)7 the Liberty Street bridge was built. This is a concrete arch bridge, 
50-foot s])an, with a width of forty feet. It was necessary to go thirty-one feet 
below the street surface to secure a foundation. 

On September 9, 1916, the Bank Street bridge was opened, the people of 
Brooklyn celebrating the event. This, the finest bridge in the city and erected at 
a cost of $100,000, is a three-span masonry arch bridge, 493^ feet between para- 
pets. The old steel bridge over Rank Street was repaired, painted, fitted out with 
many new parts, and was re-erected over the Naugatuck River at Freight .Street 
in 191 5, giving the Brooklyn district another much needed outlet. 

The four-track viaduct' built by the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co. through the 
central part of the city with its abolition of grade crossings is a permanent guar- 
antee against accidents. 

Diiring the past few years there have also been built the Hancock Brook 
bridge at W'aterville, fifty feet wide, with two spans of twenty-two feet each, and 
a 10-foot rustic bridge, fifty feet long, built over Riverside. 

A 50- foot girder bridge over the Mad River at Hamilton Avenue is now 
under way. Plans are also complete for a new West Main Street bridge, whicli 
is to be a three-span masonrv arch bridge. 

Tin-; (.uowTii oi- thk w.mer system 

Probably the most important element of the municipal plant is the water 
supply system, the magnitude of which is not generally realized because while 
its product is daily before the i^ublic eye, its parts are concealed or scattered in 
remote districts. Yet its develo])ment during the last twenty-five years has been 
so remarkable as to bespeak public attention. 

It is a far cry from the spring at Willow and Grove Streets that 117 years 
ago supplied Waterbury's leading families with water, to the magnificent system 





Till': nl;("lK],^^ i;i;ii>i:i.. ( .\Kl;^ im. hank sthki: r (i\ kk Tiih: x AicAri > k i;i\i:r 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 33 

which now tills the needs of a city of 100,000 population. Up to the year 1893 
the city's water supply was drawn from the reservoirs which collected the drainage 
of ahout one square mile and had a storage capacity of 180,000,000 gallons. 

Today, after the extensions and growth of a quarter century, the supply is 
as follows : 

Gallons 

East Mountain Reservoirs 137,000,000 

Wigwam Reservoirs 730,ooo,oo<j 

Alnrris Reservoirs 2,000,000,000 

2,867,000,000 
l'ros])ective Pitch IJrook Reser\oir 1,440,220,000 

Total a\ailable in 1910 4.307, 220,(Xx:) 

It was in 1893 that City Engineer Robert .\. Cairns, far-seeing and almost 
prophetic as to the growth of Waterbury, urged the adoption of new plans on a 
far larger scale than had ever before been contemplated. It was with some trepi- 
dation that the authority was finally granted and the work of giving Waterbury 
an adequate water sujjjily was begun, all plans and supervision being in charge 
of Mr. Cairns. 

The territory selected for the lirst gathering ground, — the Wigwam dam 
and reservoir, — lies to the northwest of the city among the Litchfield Hills, at a 
distance of about ten miles. It has an area of eighteen square miles, drained bv 
the West Brancli of the Naugatuck River. 

A careful investigation showed a jiopuiation of less than twenty-five persons 
per s([uare mile of watershed. Probably tw(_)-thirds of the region is wooded, 
farming being carried on to a less extent than was the case fiftv years ago. The 
main stream has an average inclination of about sixty feet per mile, and flows 
through a valley having a narrow- floor and very steep side hills. Tributaries to 
the main stream have such inclinations as to make it out of the question to place 
storage reservoirs on them. Owing to these unfavorable conditions it was found 
advisaljle to limit the provision of storage to such an amount as would insure a 
safe uniform yield in dry seasons of Tkto.ooo gallons a day per square mile of net 
land surface, or a total average daily yield of 10.300.000 gallons. 

Construction w-as begun in the spring of 181)3. It included excavation for and 
construction of that part of the masonry dam below the bed of the brook, as well 
as nnich stripping of the basin and grading portions of the pipe line. In the winter 
of 1893-4 contracts were let for all work necessary to complete the reservoir to a 
flow line of 410 feet, city datum, including dams, road diversion and stripping of 
the basin, and for the completion of a 36-inch pipe line to the city. During 1894 
and iX<)5 these contracts were executed, and a regular supply was furnished in 
Jaiuiary. 189(1. It was decided to postpone further work at the reservoir until 
more storage should be found necessary, but the rapid increase in consumption, 
due to the growth of the city and the very dry season of 1899, forbade longer 
delay and in the years irjoi and 1C)02 the dams were built up to their full height 
as planned. .At the same time the additional flowage was thoroughly stri])ped of 
top soil and all stumps and roots taken out. 

The reservoir was first filled to its maximum level in December. 1901, the 

water rising rapidly as a result of a severe storm. Observations since that time 

indicate that the work is of excellent character, leak'age through the dams being 
Vol. 1-3 



34 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

very small. On the down-stream face of the masonry dam, the sweating is so 
inconsiderable that on a clear, bright day it practically all evaporates. 

The reservoir has an .■jrea of 105 acres, and a total capacity of 730,000,000 
gallons. 

In 1904 under the direction of Mr. Cairns, a high service water supply was 
planned and partially completed, giving the thousands who lived on high ground 
an adequate supply of excellent drinking water for the first time. An inlet gate 
house was constructed in East Mountain Reservoir and connection was made 
bv means of a pipe line with the high ground in the northeastern and northern 
sections of the city. Tn kx>7 the pipe line was extended clear across the city to 
the Town Plot section, — a difficult piece of construction. Since then the Silver 
Street pumping station and that known as the Willow .Street pumping station have 
been constructed with a view to filling the East Mountain Reservoir from the 
^\''igwam system and keeping up the water pressure. Both pumping stations can 
be utilized to send water supply from the Wigwam reservoir to the East Mountain 
reservoir when necessary. 

The water tower on Hill Street, which has a capacity of 50,000 gallons, was 
finished last year to supply a small population on the higher levels of that particu- 
lar district. .'\ smaller one is now being built in the P)Unker Hill district to supply 
F.lmhurst. 

In I90<j when Waterbury was e.stimated to have a population of 75,000. work 
was begun on the second of the city's larger reservoir systems. 

The Morris dam is located on the same stream as the Wigwam dam, a little 
more than a mile farther up stream. In distinction from the latter, however, it 
is an earth dam with concrete core-wall, a study of the conditions and available 
material having proved an earth dam to be most economical. Its greatest height 
above the surface of the valley is about one hundred feet and its length i.ioo 
feet, including the waste weir. It adds a storage of 2,000,000,000 gallons to that 
afforded by the Wigwam reser\'oir. 

The foundations of the core-wall rest on a ledge of solid rock extending 
across the entire width of the valley. On the side slopes, rock is at a depth of 
but a few feet from the original surface, while in the center of the valley the 
foundation pit had to be carried down to a depth of forty-five feet by the use of 
steel sheet piling. 

The foundations of the head-walls, gate-house and spillway, located at the 
west end of the dam, also rest on solid rock. A reinforced concrete drain tunnel, 
about thirty-four square feet in section, is located on the ledge at the foot of the 
western slope. This took all the normal flow of the creek during construction. 
It leads into the down stream gate-house, where 24-inch pipe connections are 
made with a pipe leading into the present city main from the Wigwam reservoir, 
and with a blow-off into the lower reservoir. These gates, however, are not 
intended for regular use, but only for exceptional occasions when the water 
should become very low or when it may become necessary to draw oft' the reservoir. 

The service gate-house is on the western end of the dam on the head-wall 
between the embankment and spillway. It has six 30-inch intakes leading into 
two intake walls. They are ])rovided with separately operated gate Valves. 

A 24-inch pipe line is constructed around the Wigwam reservoir connecting 
directly with the city sen-ice main below the Wigwam dam, so that if the city 
wishes to discontinue the Wigwam service for any purpose, such as cleaning the 
rescr\oir basin, it can get its supply direct from the Morris reservoir. 

The third reservoir, known as the Pitch Brook reservoir, is to be built just 
above the Morris dam and will add i .440.200.000 gallons to the city's supply. 



\\'ATI':Rr,UR\" AND TITI'. NAUCATUC'K \Ar.LE^' •■{') 

The cost of tiii> will In- \cry hea\v, owinu; tn ]ir<-,(n( liuililiniL; coinlilions. 'I'he 
construction of this rcscrxoir necessitated the re-location cif twu hiijhwavs, and 
plans and profiles were made for this and the work has lieen completed. The 
\Vigwam Brook dixersion, which means a tunnel iJkh> feet lont; and a small 
di\crsion dam. ji.nt nf the third rescrvriir s\ stem, .are well imder wav. 

In a letter to the mayor, puhlished .Xui^^usl 13. ri>i-, Mr. Ciirns ccmimented 
on the latest phases of the situation. 

In his communication, .Mr. Cairns said that considcrahle progress hail het'n 
m.ade in the niakint; of sur\evs for the new pipe line from the W inwani reser\oir 
and enoiii;h of the work had heen done to determine the awailahility of the [iro- 
posecl line hy way of Steele's lirook \'alley. lie ad<led th.at some (itiestion had 
■arisen .as to the possihility of usinjj .Steele's lirook X'allev route or par;illelIin,L; the 
present line. The former would require two miles of tnnnelint,'. Mr. Cairns 
continued : 

"I ha\e made some ajipro.ximatr i>timal<-s with residl-. in which vou are 
interested. It a])pears th.at if w c should decide to parallel the present ,^6-inch 
main from the Wigwam reser\(iir to \\'est .Main .Street, with a 36-inch main, 
the cost of the iron piix- f. o. h. Waterhury at present iirices will lie ahout .$1,250,- 
txx). This is ahout fiAC times as much as we |)aid for ^ri-inch ])ii)e in 1894. The 
dil'ference in weight helwcen the :;')-inch and the 4_'-iiicli is 30 per cent. So 
far as i can judge, the cost of such a pipe line will lie approximately the same hy 
either route and at ])resent prices will he .iliout Sj.ocw.rxx 1. 

"The extraordinary .and unprecedented costs with which we .are confronted 
are calculated to cause hesitation in committing the city to any delhlite plan in 
regard to the ]ir(jposeil new reser\iiir and also it is e\ident th.at the work if 
undertaken now will cost a])i)roximately tw^ice what it was estiiuated at three 
years ago. -\t that time I thought it could lie constructed for Js.Soo,ooo, Init it is 
douhtful now if it can he liuilt for less th.an .Si ,50(1,000." 

Mil, rxidMi'i.i;! 1:11 si-.WAci iiisi'osM. I'l.xxr 

Waterhury had e-xpended uji to .September 1, 1017, S44(i,_^45.io on its sewage 
disposal jilant. This is aiiproximately $11,000.00 more than the amount of the 
authorized bond issue. Jt includes, moreover, the full amount of damages 
obtained to date by the Pl.att Brothers Company for sewage pollution of the 
Kaugatuck during the legally jirohibited months. — June ist to December ist. 
This averages $2,.'^oo.or) ,1 year, .and the last amount paid the concern was 
$28,000.00 on .\pril 1,^, 1015. coxering a damage period of ten years. 

The sewage disjiosal plant, on which work was stopped in ic/)8. while gi\ing 
satisfactory service, is still far from complete. .According to the original plan 
about $300,000.00 would have built the pumping plant and the [lurihcatioii tanks 
and beds. Today City Engineer Cairns figures that the cost would be two or 
three times the figures as estimated in 1907 and 1908. 

The history of the city's sewage disposal plant dates back officiallv to iSoo, 
although its need had been apparent many years prior to that date. 

In 1890 Mr. Cairns, heeding the many complaints from residents along the 
banks of the Naugatuck River, suggested the purchase of land so that sewage 
could be conveyed to it and rendered pure for discharge into the river. In this 
historical report the suggestion was first luade for a survey and for ]ilans for ;i 
sewage disposal plant. 

It was in a way also the first expression of the discontent that ended in the 
long litigation with the Piatt P.rothers Company. In i.'^o2 suit was brought ;md 



36 WATERBUKV AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

the city began preparation for an elaborate defense. This litigation extended 
over a period of over ten years. In 1898 came the first adverse decision in the 
Superior Court, and the city appealed to the Supreme Court, which in 1903 
awarded nominal damages to the Piatt Brothers Company, but by enjoining the 
city from emptying its sewage into the Naugatuck River from June 1st to 
December ist of each year, made the damages continuing. Thus, by agreement, 
the city is using its old sewage disposal system, hut is paying $2,800.00 damages 
yearly for the privilege. 

In 1895. however, the city had concluded to begin active vvork on a sewage 
disposal ])lant and engaged one of the best specialists available, Rudolph Hering, 
of New York, to study its problem. In 1895 and 1896, under the direction of 
Mr. Hering and Mr. Cairns, extensive surveys were made by the engineering 
department. In 1896. Mr. Hering recommended two methods. One was to use 
a combined precijjitation and filtration plant, to be established at a point on the 
west bank of the Naugatuck River, about opposite Piatt's Mills. The other was 
to dispose of the sewage by filtration, also, on a field west of Beacon Falls. 

In discussing these recommendations, Mr. Cairns commented at length on 
the unfortunate location of Waterbury, making necessary a very long and very 
expensive outfall sewer. It was the construction of this outfall sewer for ten 
miles through a very rugged valley that made the Beacon Falls plan hopeless. 
In Mr. Cairns' opinion, construction would prove sufficiently expensive to Piatt's 
Mills, only about a mile and a half below the main outfall at that time. 

In 1903 with the litigation decided against the city, orders were issued for the 
construction of works for the treatment of city sewage, the location to be at 
Piatt's Mills. The city secured by condemnation the Bancroft and Upson Farms 
between South Leonard Street and Piatt's Mills. There was little trouble in 
inducing the railroad to change its tracks which crossed this land. Then began 
the survey and mapping out of the whole territory south of Washington Avenue, 
preparatory to gathering the dift'erent outfall sewers into one channel and to the 
construction of a main carrier to the disposal fields. 

The work of construction was necessarily slow. In 1907, a year of great 
national depression, the sale of bonds was almost impossible. But all obstacles 
were eventually overcome. Farly in 1908: section one of the main carrier which 
had been under construction for two years was officially put into use, together 
with section two, which had been completed in 1907. These sections extend from 
a point a little north of Washington Bridge, southerly along the west bank of the 
river, through Railroad Hill Street to South Leonard Street, and again along the 
west bank of the river to a point just above Nichols Falls, taking all the sewage 
from the old Benedict Street trunk sewer, the Mad River interceptor, and the 
Brooklyn main sewer, and conveying it to a temporary outlet into the Naugatuck 
about opposite the old Smith & Griggs factory, a distance of 7.100 feet. 

In his annual report for 1907, Engineer Cairns says: "The effect on the 
.\augatuck River of keeping out the city sewage has been marked. Since high 
water came and the old deposits were flushed out, the river as far as the temporary 
outlet presents an apjiearance not perceptibly different from that at points above 
the city." 

Finally in i<jo8 the engineer reported that the city now had a "continuous con- 
crete conduit from Washington .\\cnue to Piatt's Dam,, a distance of over two 
miles, but also a good beginning of the purification works themselves, with main 
carriers, the grit and screen chambers, and the controller house substructure. The 
next steps will be the provision of a i)umping plant and the construction of tanks 
and beds." 



m 



i' -r 



.=<.-, 







WATKRr.nn' AXU Tllli XAUCiATL'CK \ALLEV -7 

But there the story of the city's sewage disposal j.ilant ends. Xo stejis ha\e 
ever been taken to complete it. 

In the year 1908 Engineer Cairns suggested that "it is j.iossible to escape vio- 
lation of the court injunction by closing the tcnijjorary outlet through which 
sewage has been discharged into the Xaugatuck River, conducting the stream 
through section 3 and allowing it to esca])e into the river below the dam." 

But this suggestion, which required an api)ropriation to make it effective, was 
also ignored. While the sewage disposal ])lant is effective as far as its carriers 
are concerned, it is a disposal i)lanl imly in name. 

.\ OU.\RTMR c i:.\TrKV (H- SiCWIOR CU.\.STRL'CT1( )N 

The problem of taking away and di\erling its sewage has been one nf the 
great problems which is now in a fair way In cnnipletion. Most of the city !■- 
sewered and construction is being pushed annually into new nutlying ilistricts. 
Here is the record of sewer cnnstructidu for twenty-five years: 

Linear b'eet Linear Feet 

i8(jj 10.280 1903 8.(1(17 

1893 5.7i)t i9iy> j.bS^ 

1 894 4.074 1007 5,266 

1 895 6.456 1 1 )o8 6.890 

1896 2,068 i90<) 3,,Vi5 

1897 ,v70,> ""O '0,2(3 

i8g8 10,389 ii>i I /■'^^?, 

1900 7,052 Ii)I2 I4--0? 

i9or 9.i'i9 i9L^ "•L53 

1902 4,412 T014 '^■'■'^3^1 

1903 .v455 10(5 7.216 

1904 7.822 (i)i(i 6,680 

This, on January i, 1917, represented .a total of 58.553 mile- nf trunk and 
lateral sewers. The history of the sewage disposal plant which jjrovided for a 
main carrier to Washington Avenue will be fovuid narrated elsewhere in this 
chapter. The cost of that was .$440,0(X).oo. The city has authorized another 
bond issue for the extension of the jircsent main carrier from W^ashington 
.\venue to Waterville. This will take the sewage out of the Xaugatuck River 
from Waterville to Piatt's Mills and gi\e the northwestern purl ion (if the city 
effective sanitation. 

THE X,\l-(-,.STCl K R(\I;R ( (iXSI':RV-\T10N pt.ax.s 

I'or some years the manufacturing interests of the Xaugatuck \'alley ha\'e 
felt the need of materially increasing the summer stream flow of the Xaugatuck 
River. This need took its first practical shape fifteen years ago. when the Gen- 
era! Assembly was petitioned by Charles F. Brooker. the late John H. Whittemore 
of Xaugatuck. the late Alton Farrell of Ansonia. and others, for the right to 
generate power along the Xaugatuck Valley. This, of course, was a purely 
]>rivate project, but it served to call attention to the possibilities of conservation 
throughout the valley. 

The next step in this great project was a preliminary investig.itiim coxering 
the feasibility of a large water conservation plan in the valley. 

-At the request of the X'augatuck A^alley manufacturing interests, ibis was 



38 \VATl':RnrRY AND TllK NAUGATUCK \-ALLEY 

undertaken l(_v Cliarles II. Preston, consultinfj engineer. For four years he made 
liis investigations eoncerning possiljle locations of dams, appro.xiniate quantities 
of water a\aiiable for storage, and the extent to which the Xaugatuck River 
would be improved by such development. The men back of the project acted 
with e.xtreme care and wisdom in the matter, preferring to make no mo\e until 
Mr. Preston had made the most elaborate and thorough tests possible. 

The four years' investigation took the shai)e of a great mass of figures and 
engineering data. The recommendations made by Mr. Preston were entirely 
favorable to the project. lie advised the construction of a series of impounding 
reservoirs on three of the large tributary streams of the Xaugatuck River. 

The lirst official meeting was held in Waterbury on .April 13, 1914. .At this 
gathering, the following corporations interested were repi'esented : 

Charles F. Brooker, president, the American Brass Co., Waterbury; Lewis 
A. Piatt, president, Piatt Bros. iK; Co., Waterbury; W. H. Wooster, secretary, the 
Seymour Mfg. Co.. Seymour: John A. Coe, Jr., vice president. The American 
Brass Co., Waterbury ; Charles Miller, president. The Randolph & Clowes Co., 
Waterbury ; John P. Elton, treasurer. The .American Brass Co., A\'aterbur\' ; 
Thomas 1) Bradstreet, general manager, .Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston ; 
George .\. Driggs, president. The .American Pin Co., Water\-ille ; Edward L. 
Frisbie, vice ]jresident. The American Brass Co., Waterbury ; William E. Fulton, 
l)resident, Waterbury Farre! Foundry & Machine Co., Waterbury. 

There was a general discussion on conserving water in the upper Naugatuck 
N'alley, in which possible developments on four different streams were con- 
sidered, these streams having ample watersheds and resultant volume with the 
following names and locations : 

Mall Meadow Brook and Hart P.rook, with sources in the southeasterly part 
of the Town of Norfolk, Litchfield County, running southerly through the Town 
of Goshen, into the Town of Torrington. and entering the Naugatuck River near 
Brandy Hill, so-called. 

The East Branch of the Naugatuck River, with source in the southwesterly 
part of the Town of Colebrook, Litchfield County, running southerly through the 
Town of Winchester, entering the Naugatuck River at Torrington. 

Lead Mine P.rook, with source in the southeasterly part of the Town of Tor- 
rington. Litchfield County, passing through the Towns of Harwinton and Plym- 
outh, entering the Naugatuck River at "Two Mile Bridge." so-called, in the Town 
of Thomaston. 

Of the four brooks considered. Lead Mine Brook appeared the most favorable 
for developing into impounding or compensating rcserv'oirs by reason of its many 
natural features, such as large holding basins, highw-av locations, real estate 
values, its twenty-four square miles of watershed, constant stream flow and solid 
ledge rock across the entire vallev, assuring excellent conditions for foundations 
of masonry dams. 

.\t the meeting, the following committee was appointed "to investigate the 
feasibility of the scheme of developing inijrounding or compensating reservoirs 
on Lead Mine Brook, Harwinton : Lewis .A. Piatt, chairman, president Piatt 
Bros. & Co., Waterlnm- : W. H. Wooster, secretary .Seymour Mfg. Co., Seymour: 
Chas. II. Preston. Jr., civil engineer, Waterbury. 

Several meetings followed, at which committee's and secretary's reports Avere 
made and finally the actual survey was begun September i, 1914. This has been 
throughout in charge of Mr. Preston and has been in progress for three years. 

In this period the most careful rainfall and stream flow records have been 
taken and tables of averages have been computed. This work is to he continued 



W ATKRL'.LUV AXD THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY M 

for another two-year period, as it is considered essential that tive years of records 
be obtained as the basis for tlie design of the contemplated work. 

The engineers are fairly well agreed on the site of the proposed dams in the 
light of the data now available. 

The location of No. i dam would be ap[)ro.\iniately at the lower end of tiie 
valley, opposite, in an easterly direction, from "Two Mile r.ridge." on land of 
the Plume and Atwood Mfg. Co. 

The location of No. j dam wouM be across the properties uf T. V.. Negus, 
The I'lume and Atwncjd Mfg. l o.. and iIk' Mcl'.cth |>ro|)crt\, about two miles 
north of No. i dam. 

The location of No. _:; d.am wnuld be .ibciut three-quarter^ of a mile south 
of Harwinton Center on land of Willi.im AlcConway and others. 

The average annual jjrecipitation fur twenty-eight years, iSS- to ii)i5, in- 
clusive, recorded by the late N. I. W'eltcjn. t.aken at Waterbury, h.as been 4X.()4 
inches. 

.Some other precipitation rcconK wbicb ,irc must iulercsling In this X'augatuck 
N'alley project are tlmse taken at <)rfiird, X. Ik. on the Connecticut River. 
Gaylordsville, Conn., on the llousatonic Kiver. iM-amingbam, .Mass.. on the .Sud- 
bury River, and Lake Cochituale, at ( 'ochituate, Mass. 

The straight line distance from these different points where records have been 
taken to proposed Reservoir No. _>, Lead Mine Brook, are Orford, N. IT., 175 
miles; Gaylordsville. Conn., 25 miles: Eramingham, Mass.. loo miles, and Cochitu- 
ate, Mass., tio miles. No records are quoted for .a shorter period than five years. 
At Orford. N. H., in a period of ll\e years, Ktdi to 1905, inclusive, the jire- 
cipitation averaged 36.76 inches, with .1 run-off .amounting to 50 per cent of such 
precipitation. 

At Gaylordsville, Conn., in ,1 period of Uw years, kx)[ to 1005, inclusive, the 
precipitation averaged 47.S<i inclies, with ,1 ruu-olT .imounting to dj ])er cent of 
such precipitation. 

.At Eramingham. Mass., in ,1 jieriod of thirt\-si.\ years. 1S75 to ic)! i. the pre- 
cipitation averaged 45.1,^ inches, with a run-off .amounting to 47. j \>cr cent of 
such precipitation. 

At Cochituate, Mass., in a period of f(jrty-si.\ \ears, iS(]3 to iwir, inclusive, 
the precipitation averaged 43.''^,^ inches, with a run-off amounting to 42. d per cent 
of such precipitation. 

The average precipitation and percentage of same in run-off of the four .aliove 
described points is as follows : 
I'recipitation, 43. 8q inches. 
Percentage of [irecipitation in nm-off, 3J.7. 

The only actual construction work done on the project so far li.as been a 
series of core borings taken on the center line of proposed D.am \'o. _>. These 
show ,a favorable formation of rock .and were entirely satisfactory from an engi- 
neering point of \ie\w 

The engineers expect tb.it work on Dam No. j will begin ;it the end ol the 
five-year period of taking precipit.itioii .and stream fiow records. This, of course, 
depends largely on the amount of w.ater it will be found is available. 

The project, when com|)leted, will cost several million dollars, but it will have 
an enormous influence on the industrial development of the valle\-. giving con- 
tinuous and greatly increased water ])ower. and incidentally flushing the Naiiga- 
tuck River to a .sanitary condition throughout the year. 

r>y the development of Dam No. _>. with it.s drainage area of i4.o(« acres, or 



40 WATKRBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

twenty-two square miles, it will be possible, with a spillway at elevation 6iO, to 
impound 3,413,917,000 gallons. 

This huge resen'oir would cover 316 acres, contain 10,477 acre feet, would 
cost with a Cyclopean masonry dam $914,600, on the basis of $87.29 per acre foot. 

The length of the dam across its crest from east to west side of valley would 
be 1,300 feet, with a maximum height of 142 feet above bed of stream. 

This will set back a pond of nearly 23/^ miles in length, from 500 to 1,800 feet 
in width and varying in depth from 35 to 142 feet. 

While this may appear rather a bold undertaking in the matter of dam con- 
struction, there is apparently no feature against such a structure, it has numerous 
natural facilities to favor its development, such as ledge foundation across the 
entire valley, plenty of good quality stone for use in the cyclopean construction, 
sufficient water to fill four limes during each year, and a small amount of new 
highway construction. 

THE WATERBURV-DKRnv P..\RGF. CAN.M. PROJECT 

The appropriation by Congress of $25,000 for surveys and investigations into 
the cost of a proposed barge canal from Waterbury to tidewater at Derby is the 
first step toward Federal aid in a great project for the further industrial develop- 
ment of this city. 

The agitation for this canal has been quietly growing for years, but its recog- 
nition by Congress, as worthy of preliminary survey work marks the first great 
step toward realization. In 1894. the men behind the project were satisfied 
with a proposed fifty-foot canal. Today the Government is considering a seventy- 
foot canal. 

Engineers have in a general way estimated its cost at from $25,000,000 to 
$30,000,000. 

As outlined by Engineer Charles H. Preston, the several heights above tide- 
water at Derby junction and the different towns and cities along the route to 
Waterbury are approximately as follows : 

Ansonia is twenty-five feet above tidewater. Seymour is ninety feet above 
tidewater. Beacon Falls is 120 feet above tidewater. High Rock Grove is 140 
feet above tidewater. Naugatuck is 180 feet above tidewater. Union City is 200 
feet above tidewater. Flats, rear of Waterbury freight yard, 262 feet above tide- 
water. Brown's Meadows, Waterbury, are 271 feet above tidewater. Ansonia is 
twenty-five feet higher than Derby Junction. Seymour is sixty-five feet higher 
than Ansonia, Beacon Falls is thirty feet higher than Seymour, Naugatuck is 
sixty feet higher than Beacon Falls, Union City is twenty feet higher than Nauga- 
tuck, and Waterbury is sixty-two feet higher than Union City. 

The distances along the proposed line of barge canal between Derby Junction 
and Waterbur)- are as follows : Derby Junction to Waterbury is 18.50 miles, 
Derby Junction to .\nsonia is 2.13 miles, Ansonia to Seymour. 3.84 miles; Sey- 
mour to Beacon Falls, 8.48 miles ; Beacon Falls to Naugatuck, 4 miles ; Naugatuck 
to Union City. .072 mile ; Union City to Waterbury, 4.33 miles. Other distances 
would be as follows: Derby Junction to Seymour, 5.97 miles; Derby Junction to 
Beacon Falls, 9.45 miles; Derby Junction to Naugatuck, 13.45 miles; Derby 
Junction to Union City, 14.17 miles. Distances toward the south would be: 
Waterbury to Union City, 4.33 miles ; Waterbury to Naugatuck, 5.05 miles ; 
\\'aterbury to Beacon Falls, 9.05 miles: Waterbury to Seymour, 12.53 uii'cs ; 
\\'atcrbnr\- to .\nsonia, 16.37 "li'es ; Waterbury to Derby Junction, 18.50 miles. 

By the installation of eleven locks, varying in height from twenty-one to 



\\'.\tj-:kbl;ry AxND thi-: naugatuck valley 4i 

thirty feet, whicli are considered feasible in canal construction and operation at 
present, barges containing freight could be delivered through to Waterljurv from 
tidewater or to any other town along the line of canal. 

Mr. Preston ably summarizes the advantages to be obtaineil from the con- 
struction of a canal, and the following is a quotation from one of his articles on 
the subject : 

"That a barge canal between W'atcrbury and tidewater would be a decided 
asset to the state can be appreciated, when it is shown that about three-i|uarcrs of 
the entire area of the state is within twenty-five miles of some part of the canal 
and may, therefore, be reached by motor truck over trimk line highways, con- 
structed and maintained on a par with any in New England. The areas covered 
by New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport, Waterbury and intermediate sections, the 
four largest cities of Connecticut, and reiiresenting about 70 per cent of state 
industries. 75 per cent of state population, are within thirty miles of our ])roi)osed 
project. 

"Many admirable factory sites \v(juld be created by the con>truction of a canal 
and hundreds of acres of land now lying dormant wcnild lie o|u-n fur full develop- 
ment. 

"Critics of our proposed canal project ha\e l)rougIu forth the claim that to 
operate a canal of 18.5 miles length, with a difi'erence in elevation of 2b2 feet or 
14.16 feet to the mile, is not practical. In rebuttal of this statement, 1 will say 
that in the New York State barge canal, a model of the very latest design in canal 
construction, with a developing cost upwards of one hundred and fifty million 
dollars, is operating between Waterford and Crescent wh;it is termed "The 
Waterford Flight," an assembled group of three locks, all within a mile's dis- 
tance, with a total lift of 103.5 ^^^t- 

"This is as much grade in a mile as our proposed project wduld ;i\evaiic in 
seven miles. 

"I claim the proposed barge canal between \\':!terbury and tidewater at 
Derby worthy a thorough investigation, from the following points of view: 

"i. Industrial conditions in our Naugatuck \'alley demand this canal in addi- 
tion to the New Haven Railroad. 

"2. With a possibility of the sewage i)robIem of the valley beini; solved, 
from this viewpoint alone, I claim the project w'ortiiy an investigation. 

"3. With operating expenses about one-seventh the amount of those of steam 
railroads, it is conclusive that this barge canal would be the popular carrier. 

"4. Prosperity's growth has been such that the railroads have been unable to 
keep astride and transportation facilities at i>resent are 100 per cent deficient. 

"5. Naugatuck River has a drainage area of 7,26 square miles and the annual 
precipitation for a long term of years is 48.8 inches, which virtually means there 
are annually passing down through our valley 107,000,000.000 gallons at Water- 
bury, 129000,000,000 gallons at Naugatuck, 157,000,000.000 gallons at Seymour, 
164,000,000,000 gallons at Ansonia, and 166,000,000,000 gallons at Derby, an 
overabundant amount, in my opinion, if properly conserved, to place the practi- 
cability of our proposed barge canal beyond the question of doubt. 

"6. Waterbury has grown nearly double during the past decade, will coiUinue 
to do so in the future, and in order to cope with transportation facilities we must 
provide an outlet bv water such as are now had by New Haven. Hart lord and 
Bridgeport." 



CHAl'TKR IV 
PUBLIC BUILD1N(;S 

OLD CITY UALL AND ITS AUDITORIUM — MAYOR ELTON REMODELS BUILDING ITS DE- 
STRUCTION BY FIRE — NEW BUILDING PROJECTED — BONDS VOTED AND COMPETI- 
TION ENDS IN SELECTION OF CASS GILBERT AS ARCHITECT DESCRIPTION COST 

THE DEDICATION EXERCISES IN "OLD HOME" WEEK SALE OF THE OLD CITY HALL 

PROPERTY — THE WATERBURY COURTHOUSE — DESCRIPTION THE AGITATION FOR A 

FEDERAI, BUILDING HOW ITS SITE WAS SELECTED CONSTRUCTION — DESCRIP- 
TION. 

For fourteen years after its incorporation as a city, Waterbury's municipal 
meetings were held in Gothic Hall, on what is now Phoenix Avenue. The town 
and the city voted in 1867 to issue bonds for erecting a city hall on West Main 
Street, and this building served for thirty-five years when it was destroyed by an 
incendiary fire. 

When it was planned, the ciiy lacked not only proper accommodations for city 
offices and courts, but with the increasing ])0])uIation there was no hall large 
enough for the public gatherings and entertainments. Consequently the second 
floor was made a large auditorumi with stage, in which "Uncle Tom's Cabin" 
alternated dates with "ITamlet." Political rallies, caucuses and fairs were held 
there in season, the chairs were cleared away for dances, and its use as a public 
hall even lasted long enough for moving pictures to be shown there. This was not 
I)rimarily an amusement enterprise. Admission was by invitation for the purpose 
of demonstrating to possible ])urchasers of stock a device by which the moving 
picture machine and the phonograph could be synchronized. Those who attended 
heard grand opera stars sing tiie sextette from l.ucia while they witnessed the 
actions of the singers as shown in moving ])ictures, while Harry Lauder marched 
grandly across the screen in exact time to the accompaniment of one of his songs 
reproduced on the phonograijh. It was apparently convincing, and on the strength 
of it, some of the stock was sold here, but the enterprise never succeeded com- 
mercially. Ibis was one of the last occasions on which the hall was used for 
entertainment purposes and was in the autumn of 1910. 

The opening of theaters and newer halls easier of access had led to a falling off 
of the demand for the use of the City Hall Auditorium. As early as 1904 the 
receipts from rentals had fallen so low that the auditorium was regarded by those 
in charge of it as \vaste space. In addition the city departments on the main floor 
were badly cramped for room. The aldermen met in a chamber which had room 
for desks for members of the board and for a dozen spectators to sit or a score 
to stand. Tlie town clerk's records were kept in a \ault barely large enough for 
storing the books and with no accommodations for .searchers. 

Mayor Elton secured from the Ck'neral .Assembly in icx)3 authority to issue 
bonds for $75,000 t<j enlarge and remodel the city hall, but it was found that the 
building which was planned could not be secured within the appropriation and the 
project was dropjjed. Some interior changes were made in the police station and 
the city hall. Towards the end of Mayor Hotchkiss" administration the project 

42 



\\ATi£Ri;LI<\' AXL) THE X AL< iATUCK NALIJ'IV 4:i 

\\a> atjilatcd again. After sonic evidence of di\ ision of opinion aniony iIil- public, 
it was decided to sjjend S40,ajo in making changes. The .luihtoriiini was converted 
into an aidernianic chamber and jiolice drill hall, larger (|u;irler-, were provi<led 
for the cit\- clerk ami cit\ comptroller, expensixc modern \.Lnlt> and liling devices 
wore installed for the town clerk's records and a |iortion of iju- b.isement was set 
apart for ,i public comfort station. LVjntiait^ were lei Lite in n/i i and the com- 
pletion <if the wi.'rk lapped o\er into .Mayor l\ei\es' aiImini-.tr,ition. 

The remodeling w.is ju>l alioiit completed, .although some ijortion-- of il had 
not yet been utilized, when a fire, originating .imong some ]],iint ]iots .and builder^' 
rubbish, not \ et removed from the cellar, destroyed the building on the night 
of April _'_'. 11)12. 

I'hal was :i wild night for W.Ueibin'y. Ilalf ,i do/en small fires liroke out and 
there were thirteen alarms in all. the horses tli.it drew the .ipp.ir.ilUs were e\h;uistcd 
with the task of dashing from one p.irt ni the cit\ to the other, and the militia was 
called out to lielj) the police w.itcli the business clistrict. Imesligation next day 
showed tb.it a numljer of tires had been started by an incendiary. M.i\or Reeves 
called .1 special nieeling of ihe aldermen next nKn'uing to ]iass resolutions ol'iering 
a reward for the arrest and i-ou\ iction of the tirebug. pro\idiug for new .intoniobde 
fire apparatus and the a])poinlnieiit of a commission to builil .i new ( it\ llall. 

Eventually, the origin (<i tlf tire w.is tr.iced. j'.ern.ird I . Miirrav. son of a 
former fire ofificial of Hartford, was arreste<l in M.iss.ichuseits for .i trivial larceny 
in connection with a mysterious fire. Suspicion had Ijeen aroused in several (|uar- 
ters by his movements. He was charged with starting the fires which burned the 
Wilson House in North Adams and a sanitarium and several other buildings in 
Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He finally confessed having started the fires in 
Waterbury. giving an account of his movements here, after being positively identi- 
fied by Mrs. Minnie R. Russell, who had met Iiini face to face in a hallway in the 
Chelsea rooming house on West ^fain .'Street, ne.ir the city hall, just .after he had 
started a blaze in a closet, .'-^lie claimed the promiscil reward luit the .aldermen 
decided not to pay it on the ground that Murray had not been arrested and con- 
victed of the crime. This, however, was because the Massachusetts .authorities had 
equally good evidence against him. but declaring him insane, had committed him 
to an asylum, from which he was released rather mysteriously within a year, as 
cured. The Waterburv American, indignant at the refusal to pay the city's reward 
to Mrs. Russell, raised a fund of several hundred dollars by pul)lic subscription 
and paid it over to her. ^frs. Russell's husband is in the eniplox of Price K; Lee 
of New Haven, publishers of the Waterbury I'ity Directory. 

The citv hall fire left untouched the three adjoining liuildings. the rild polic'j 
station, the three-story brick building at Leavenworth Street and Harrison Avenue, 
used as a fire headquarters and lirst occupied on December 24, iSo". and the City 
Hall Annex, having the old flroiison f.ilirary P.uilding as its nucleus .and accomnio- 
ilating numerous city offices. The city hall proper, how•e^■er. was non-tenable. 
excc[)ting that the town clerk's office in the northeast corner was only slightly 
damaged. Town Clerk Robert Palmer, refusing to be separated from his newly 
acquired vaults, hired c,ir])enters, made rep.airs and ret.ained the use of the office 
until transferred to the present qu.arters in the city hall. The offices of th.e ma.vor. 
city clerk and citv comiitroller were removcil to (|uarters in the Lillex liuilding 
on West Main Street, where most of the city's iiieetiiigs were held, \ store on 
Center Street was rented for the use of the citv court. 



44 WATF.RBl'RV AND TliE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

ERIXTIOX 01" THE NKW CITY HALL 

The destruction of the old city hall necessitated immediate action for the 
l)roi)er housing of the city departments and for the safety of future puhlic records. 
Judge Francis T. Reeves, who was mayor at the time, appointed a committee of 
ten to handle the situation. 

This committee effected little. The sentiment was divided between rebuilding 
on the old site and selecting a new site for a new city hall. Several were sug- 
gested — the Green, the Merriman j)roperty, which was then found to be not for 
.sale, and the present site among the others. The old site had its champions, and 
those favoring a new site were divided between several locations. For some time 
the local jiapers were flooded with communications from interested citizens in 
which the question was discussed at length. The aldermen refused to come to a 
decision and ordered a referendum election, but this was inconclusive. Another 
referendum found a bare majority voting in favor of the j^resent site. Meanwhile, 
the board of aldermen sanctioned the appointment of a city hall commission, 
which body was to transact all business in connection with the construction of the 
new municipal building. The original membership of the commission was as 
follows: Mayor Francis T. Reeves, chairman: Patrick F". Bannon, George A. 
Driggs, John ]'. FTton, Daniel T. Farrington, alderman: John F. Garron, Edward 
O. Goss. Raymond C;. TTutchinson, alderman; John Hurley, aldemian ; Fred .A. 
Jackie, alderman; William J. \\'alsh, alderman. 

The resignation of Mr. TIntchinson in March, 1914. left a vacancy to which 
Charles .\. Colley, president of the chamber of commerce, was subsequently 
a[)poi!ited, and when death claimed John F. Garron, .Alderman Mortimer Doran 
was chosen to fill the vacancy. The first meeting of the commission was held 
August I, 1912. In January. 11)14. ^layor Martin Scully succeeded Francis T. 
Reeves as city executive, and automatically became head of the commission. 

One of the first acts of the commission, following negotiations for the transfer 
of title to the city government of the ])roperty on which the present building 
stands, was to hold a comjietition conducted by Prof. Warren Powers Laird, of 
the L'niversity of Pennsylvania, to select an architect to design and superv^ise the 
construction of the new city hall. The plans of Cass Gilbert, of New York, were 
selected. On July 8, 1914. the Geo. .\. Fuller Construction Company of New 
"N'ork signed the contract to construct the building, and in the early part of August, 
1914, ground was broken. The appointment of two supervisors, Charles M. Gasson 
for tiic construction company, ;uid I'rederick C. Peckwell, for the city's interests, 
occurred shortly after. 

The building was officially o])ened during "Old Home \\'eek," November 25, 
2C> and 27, 191 3, although many of the departments ilid not occujiv it until 
January, 1916. 

The city hall is situated on Grand Street, adjoining I^ibrary Park, and com- 
manding an approach to the center of the city through Leavenworth Street. 

The entourage which fronts the length of the building on Grand Street is its 
show feature. Standing within a low rounded marble coping, which .surrounds it 
on all sides and separates it from the broad encircling sidewalk, it is laid out in a 
fonnal Colonial style which harmonizes with the delicate red and white ornamenta- 
tion of the facade. At the edge of the sidewalk at regular intervals are placed five 
decorative. 18- foot, bronze lamp standards. The approach to the entourage is by 
white marble steps, flanked on either side by smaller auxiliarv stairways, also of 
white marble, which lead to the main section, containing the decorative features. 

The fountain is centered in a small court, the pavement of which is of red brick 




'I'lIK XIOW i \-\\ IIAI.l.. WATKRHl'KY 



WATKKIlLin' AXl.) Till: XAL'GATUCK X'ALLEV 45 

inset w illi white marljlc baii'ls eiKlo^iiiL^ a large circular sial). At the main entrance 
are two decorative \ahes nr urns of white marhle, se\eral feet in lieiglit. from the 
base of each of which, ihrungli the iiKnith nt a carxcd salyr, jets a stream of water 
flanking the central foiinlain. 

The buildiiiL;", wliicii is nf (_(iliinial design, i^ htnU aronnd a rectangular court, 
laid out as a sunken Italian garden. It is not unly tlu' 'iffice luiilding of the citv 
and tdwn oHicers. and the hunie nf llu- probate and city courts. Imt also the head- 
quarters of the lire deiiartmcnt and the police dep.artment. The east wing is 
de\(ited to the lire deparlment and the west wing is dc\oted to the police depart- 
ment. The ni.iin portion is three stoiaes high, with a rocjf and a cupola tower, with 
a 4-dial clock, gilded dome and weather \ane. The other three sections are hut 
two stories high. 

Its exterior is of \ ermont marlile .and Xortli ll,i\en. hrick, marble blocks com- 
prising" most of the w.alls of the liisl ^tory and marble pillars running to the roof 
betwecit the windows of the main portion of the building. At the east and west 
ends, on marble slabs ^et into the walK. .are appropriate inscri])tions and on ten 
circular marble slabs set into th.c w.ilK of the third story .are ten different ilesigns, 
in has relief, signilicant of the cityV industries and char.acter. A m.irble fenci' 
surrounds the roof of the main Imilding. 

The collector, assessius, ]iroliale conn, lioard of ch.arilies, town clerk, and city 
clerk. ha\e otfices anil \aidls on the m.ain lloor. The basemeiU provides j.initors' 
rooms .and storage rooms, heating ]ilant. a store for the board of charities, labora- 
tory aiiil nurses' rooms for the board of health, testing rooms and storage rooms 
for the en,gineering dep.artment. and I'ooms for the scaler of weights and measures. 
On the second floor arc the offices of the mayor, the personal tax collector, the 
board of iiublic works, city court judge, a jury room, lawyers' room, juvenile court 
room, city court clerk's and prosecuting attorney's offices. At the Meld Street entl 
of the building, on the second floor, is the aldermanic chaml>er. which occupies 
both the second and third floors, and at the west end of the bnildmg is the city 
court room, also extending through to the third floor. 

On the top floor are the drafting rooms and offices of the city engineer's depart- 
ment, probation officer's room and offices for the corporation counsel, health officer 
and inspectors and bfjard of health, registrars of voters, city sherifT, park superin- 
tendent, building inspector, and telephone exchange. 

In this portion of the bm'lding. the corridors are built with marble floors and 
the trimming is white wood, cn.ameled to an ivory finish. Tliroughoitt the rest of 
the building, the floors are terrazzo ;uid the woodwork o;d\. 

On the Field Street side is the Are headquarters with the apparatus room, 
repair shop, firemen's waiting room and toilet rooms on the main floor. On the 
second floor are the offices of the board of public safety with offices and rooms also 
for the oiificers of the fire department and l)ed rooms for twenty-one firemen. 
There is a fine shower liath room and toilets for officers and men, linen closets, 
and a recreation room, some of these occu])ying the rear jiortion of the building. 

In the police wing of the builditig there is a large drill hall in the basement, 
locker rooms, sergeants' room, smoking room, stor.age rooms, toilets .and shower 
bath. There is also a large room in which the homeless are provided with slcej)- 
iiig accommodations. 

On the first floor are the offices of the police department officials, a men's cell 
room with thirty cells and room for ten more, detention rooms and a police garage, 
the entrance to wdiich is from the re.ar of the Imilding. The seconil floor accom- 
modates the detective bureau with offices, a Hertillon room, d.ark rooni, detention 



46 \\atf.rp,i;rv and the naugatuck \ali.kv 

room for wonicii, a cell room wilii len cells for women, matron's office, bed room, 
living room and kitchen. 

Directly facing the main .street entrance is the lo-foot main inner staircase of 
white marble, which, ascending some twenty-six steps to a first landing, branches 
to either side, and winds up and back to the second floor. Leading to the right 
and left of the lirst lloor central hall are tw^o corridors all in white marble, and 
both with lofty ceilings in the same design as the main hall. On either side of 
these corridors are the first set of city offices. At the end of either corridor are 
the side entrances of tJie building, reached by sets of marble steps. The corridors 
are fourteen feet in width, with all of the office doors inset in arched alcoves 
which are duplicated at regular intervals along the wall of the corridors. The 
lighting for the main hall and corridors is furni.shed by ten large decorative bronze 
hanging fixtures, strung through the center of the corridors and grouped in the 
main hall. .\t the left of the staircase on entering is located the elevator. 

The corridors and ceilings are decorated in grayish ivory relieved by soft buff 
and \iolet in the coffers. All this decorating, as well as the special rooms, was done 
by Arthur Willetts, of New York. 

Featured in the artistic decoration of the building are the ten circular bas-relief 
inset med;i!lions. Six arc set in the front and two each in the I'ield Street and 
Library side of the structure. They symbolize Truth, Prudence, Industry, the 
City .Seal, Commerce, b'orce, Law, Justice, Wisdom and Order. 

The aldermanic chamljer is of noble proportions, with a lofty, elaborately deco- 
rated ceiling. The walls are of greenish gray plaster and rise from a white base. 
y\l! carry inset fluted white columns. For illumination there is a massive hanging 
cluster of lights set in two concentric circles, the larger outer circle carrying twenty- 
seven lights in the form of imitation candles, and the inner circle carrying thirteen 
of the same variety. 

Over the president's seal are inscribi-d the words: "Let not mercy and truth 
forsake thee, liind them about thy neck ; write them u])on the tablet of thy heart, 
so thou shah find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man."--- 
Proverbs, IIL 

The city court room, at the west end of the corridor, is finished in much the 
same style as the aldermanic chamber and is of the same generous proportions. 
It has the same massive pendant li.ght cluster. The walls are treated in a grayish 
motif, relieved by decorated motifs in the frieze and panels. Over the judge's 
bench is inscribed: '"The foundations of justice are that none shall be banned 
and the commonweal be sened." The interior decorations arc beautiful. This 
work was done by .\rthur Willetts, of New York. 

.'\ large bell which was ])urchased by the City Hall Commissitju was intended 
to be installed on the roof of the city hall. The light and graceful clock tower 
on the building not being designed to carry the added weight, the architect was 
asked to furnish an estimate of cost for a bell tower. This would have been 
expensive and would jjrobably have destroyed the harmony of the sky lines. It 
w-as offered to the board of education for use on a school and to the board of 
public safety for a fire bell, but was refused because there wa.-; no money available 
to add a bell tower to any existing building. There was a highly eligible location 
for it in the tower of the Union Station, although this was open to the seeming 
objection that the station was the property, not of the city, but of the New York, 
New Haven and Hartfonl Railroad. However, this was overlooked, the company 
was induced to consent to the installation of the bell there and it was raised in the 
summer of mjiO. It remained in the control of the city to be rung on special 
occasions. 



WATERBURV AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 47 

'I1ic niuiiicipal flag which floats from the stafi^ was otiicially adopted on ( )ctol)er 
II. 1915. This is the approved design: "The City Seal in the center of tiie flag, 
and the motto, 'Quid Aere Perennius,' underneath the seal. The words, 'City of 
Waterbury' overhead the seal, and the figures '1853-1913' imderneath the seal: 
the seal and lettering to be gold on a blue ground ; size of flag, i,S feet." 

The following is the summary of the receipts and expenditures in conned i(in 
v.ith tlie inirchase uf the site, and the erection .-md equi]iment of the buildint;-. 

KHAi,izi;n 

I'Voni insurance on old liuilding $ h2.^-i>.-]j 

From bond issue : 

.Authorized sale of lO-year bond^ issued |)eccnilier, iwi,^ I00,(.KX).(X) 

Authorized sale of 40-year bonds issued June, ii)i-| 400,000.00 

Authorized sale of 40-year bonds issued June. iQi.^ 400,000.00 

Total .Si)'i.?.47*).47 

KXPKNDED 

l"or purchase of original site $ ()2.ooo.oo 

For purchase of addition from United Electric Light & Water ('om])any 33,000.00 

For purchase of addition from Piatt Brotheis & Co 19,740.00 

To Geo. A. Fuller Co. for construction («4.3oo. 73 

Expenses and fees, Cass Gilbert, architect 4(),240.7 1 

Expense of competition on [ilans 11 ,050.35 

Bell 1 .^i.:?7-94 

Gamewell b'ire -Mann 19,7 1 ^.43 

Inirniture, equiiiment, sui)i)lies. etc "^S-^O-v.^o 

.Soi7-4^v'''i 

THE DEDI('.\TI(l.\ l:Xl-RCISi;.S "nl.p HoMP: W'I-MK" 

At the suggestion of the \\";iterbury Chamber of Commerce, the board of alder- 
men in the summer of 191 5 endorsed the idea of holding an "Old Home Week" 
as a means of properly dedicating the new city hall, but neither the aldermen nor 
the city hall commission could find any legal authority for voting the necessary 
funds. The city found it could s])end $500 which went to pay expenses of the 
actual dedicatory exercises and the chamber of commerce undertook to provide for 
all other expenses and to manage the celebration. A general meeting of representa- 
tives of lodges and societies from all sections of the city was held at the bulks' 
Club and it was found that there was a real desire for an extensi\e celebration. 
It was so long since there had been any occasion for celebration that it was at first 
proposed to make the celebration last a week and bring the entire brigade of the 
Connecticut National Guard here for a military parade. This. howe\er, i>ro\ei| to 
be impractical, I)Ut a \ery li\ely program w;i.s ;irranged for Thursd;n'. b'riday and 
Saturday, Novem])er J5th, Jdtb and ^'ih. 

On Friday morning the school children paraded, with an escort of l'>o\- Scouts, 
from Croft .School to Grand Street, where exercises were held in front of the citv 
hall. Children from the .'^outh M.iin .Street }.)layground gave folk dances. The 
school children sang the "HliI llmne Week" song. "An Invitation." the wurds of 
which were written by Rev. John G. Davenport, D. D. Afterward^^ the children 
])araded to Chase Park Bridge, where the .Sled Haul Brook Tablet was dedicated. 
This was erected by the Mattatuck Historical .Society and unveiled on this occasion 



48 WATER l!LRV AXD THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

b\- Edwin S. Hunt, assisted by Miss Carolyn White Griggs and Master Roger 
Sherman Makepeace, the latter a direct descendant of Rev. John Southmayd and 
Rev. Mark Leavenworth. 

The historical interest of the occasion, which was further amplified by Rev. 
Joseph .Anderson, D. D., in a characteristically thorough historical address, is 
sufficiently told for our purpose here by the inscription which reads as follows: 

"(^n tiie opposite side of the river and probably in the small hill about forty 

rods eastcrlv, tradition says that the first settlers of Waterbury spent their first 

winter in a dugout or cave. Wood w^as obtained from this side and hauled on a 

sled across the frozen still water; hence, .Sled-Haul and Sled Hall Brook, 1677-8." 

"Erected by the Mattatuck Historical Society, 1915." 

On Thursday evening came the dedication of the "Clock on The Green," the 
acce[)tance of the big flag pole on The Green by the city and a fireworks display 
on (Irand Street opposite the city hall. The Elks arranged a special ritual for the 
clock dedication and the ceremony was in charge of Dr. J. W. Eruin. The pre- 
sentation address was by Charles A. Colley, speaking for the chamber of commerce, 
and the unveiling was by little Miss Jackson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles 
A. Jackson, Mr. lackson being the contractor for the monument. Mayor Scully 
and the late Rev. 1". D. Uuckley also spoke. 

The annual ])aradc of the police and fire dei)artments followed at i P. AL and 
at 2 P. M. came the dedication exercises at the city hall. Capt. .\lfred F. Wolff 
presided, the opening prayer was by Reverend Doctor .Anderson and the bene- 
diction by Rev. Luke Mtzsimons. The new^ municipal flag and the national emblem 
were raised on the \'cnetian flag poles in front of the building for the first time 
under the auspices of Wadhams Post, Sons of \'eterans, Berlin. 

On Friday evening Governor ALnrcus -\. Holcomb and his staff were the 
guests of honor at a ball given at Buckingham Hall. Prior to this a bamiuet had 
been given the visitors at The Elton by tlie chamber of commerce. 

It is estimated that 125,000 peo])le saw the civic and military parade held 
.Saturday afternoon, November 27, 1915. On the reviewing stand with the gov- 
ernor w-ere the members of his staff, Mayor Scully of Waterbury, Mayor Rice of 
New Haven, Mayor Dutton of Bristol, and many local men of note. This was 
also the day for the formal opening of the new city hall for public inspection. 

In the parade were the Second Regiment, Connecticut National Guard, the 
First and Second Companies, Governor's Foot Guard, the Putnam Phalanx, the 
Connecticut Brigade, Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, many civic societies 
and a score of floats. The line of march led over the new I-'reight Street Piridge, 
which was used on this day for the first time. Col. James Geddes was grand 
marshal. 

The total expenses of the celebration were approximately $7,500. This amount 
had been raised by public subscription and as there w'ere revenues from sale of 
I^rograms, grand stand seats and privileges amounting to over two thousand dol- 
lars, the celebration produced a surplus which was turned over to the chamber of 
commerce. 

S.\LE OK Tin; OLD CITV IIALI. PKOPlvRTV 

In January, 1917, the city sold the site of the old city hall building, including 
the ruins remaining from the disastrous fire of 1912, together with the building 
occupied by the police department, the three-story fire headquarters, and the old 
building, with its additions, which had housed the Bronson Library until it was re- 
moved to its present Grand Street site. The amount paid was $225,000, and the 
IJurchasers were James E. Russell, of Waterbury, and Edwin S. Dreyfus, of Boston. 



WAi i;ri;i"kv axd the nalkiatuck valley 49 

111 ALd'ch, the entire i>r()perty was sold by Russell ami Dreyfus to the George 
L. Lilley Company. This corporation, during the summer of 1917, sold the brick 
fire house to P. M. l)e\cnis of Waterbury, who had the Iniikling moved to its 
present site on Kendrick Avenue, opposite the court iiouse. 

The old city hall site has now been cleared of all del)ris, and the foundation of 
a new building, being erected by the George L. Lilley Company, is completed. 
The plans for this are by Wilfred E. Griggs, and provide for a business building 
to occupy a space of 145 feet on West Alain and 175 feet on Leavenworth streets, 
the latter frontage along the lines of the widened street. The building is to be 
two stories high for 100 feet liack of \\'est Main Street, ;ind one story high on 
the remaining lot. It is to l)e a ]il;iin brick siructure. with eleven stores and 
fifty-five offices. 

THF. \V.\TI'.RI;rm ( (HIM lIllfSK 

b'rom iSdj to iScjd tin- citv of Waterbur)' furnished a court rudm in the city 
hall to the superior court for New lfa\en County for its sessi(.)ns in W'ater- 
Iniry. This was at the southeast corner of the buildinL',. The building of the 
police station in iScp at tlie snulheast corner of the city b.dl pr(i]ierly sluit out 
light and air to a great extent from the court, which w.is the jirincijial room on the 
main floor of the l)uilding. Anderson's History records that there was severe 
criticism of the location of the police building which g.i\e su|)eriiir court judges 
an excuse for frequently adjourning the terms of the Waterbury Superior Court 
to New Haven. Doctor Anderson also records that "there are now both civil and 
criminal terms of the superior court 1i\ l.iw established and nomiii.dly held in 
Waterbury, though frequently .idjourned lo .\ew llaven." 

This proving inconvenient, the County of \ew Ha\en erected a court house 
at Leavenworth .Street and Kentlrick Avenue, fremting (ju the former street. It 
was opened in December. 1896, and cost the county $gi.ooo. On February 24, 
1905, the county commissioners celebrated the burning up of sixty-one of the 
4 per cent, .gold coin, .$1,000 bonds issued by the county to ]iay for the new liuilding. 
This extinguished the county debt for the time being. 

The county soon got into debt again, for the need of a new and a larger court 
house had become evident in I90<i, and it was in that year that an effort was made 
to secure an appropriation for a new building, or for the reconstruction of the old 
building. Simultaneously a new court house project started in Xew Haven result- 
ing in the monumental marble structure erected there at a cost of one million 
dollars. The two buildings were authorized at the same county caucus. 

In 1908. the tentative jilans for the complete reconstruction of the Waterbury 
building were sulimitted to the county commissioners, and the first appropriation 
had been secured. On March 7. ii)io. the court.> were moved to one of the floors 
in the Odd Fellows P.uilding and were compelled t(.) make these cram|)ed (|uarters 
serve until August i. loii, when the new building was occupied. 

The first session of the su]ierior court was held in the new buililing Ijy Judge 
Lucien F. Burpee on .September u. ii)M. l\e\. John \. Lewis, rcitor of St. 
John's Church, delivered the o])ening prayer. 

When the building was completed, the cost \\:is found to be .Si()4._| i_'.03. This 
did not include the interior furnishings for which another hea\y appro|)ri,ition 
was made. 

The building was constructed about llie old court hou>e. the entire e,\terior 
being new. The old court house was two stories in height. The new one has 
three stories. Two wings were added, thus giving ample room for the court work. 
The Leavenworth Street fagade was torn down and the building enlarged, a new 
entrance being made on Kendrick Avenue. 



50 WATllRr.LRV AXI) TIIF. XAL-CATUCK \AF.I.RV 

Tlie exterior is built in the Italian Kenaissance. the four massive Ionic columns 
giving it a decidedly classic appearance. The outside is terra cotta for the orna- 
mental work, granite for underpinning, and red tapestry brick. 

There are three high and commodious court rooms, each with judges' chambers 
and comfortable jury rooms attached. The interior is furnished in ash. The 
offices for the clerks of the court are especially adapted for the easy filing and 
safekeeping of records. The probate court occupied a smaller court room until 
1916, but was then removed to the city hall and that room is being fitted up as an 
office for the county commissioners. 

Some of the rooms have been used recently for meetings of the draft exemption 
boards. 

W.ATKKBUKV'S I-EDER.M. lUJIl.DIXG 

Doctor Anderson's History left the United States Postoffice in the E. R. Lamp- 
son Building on the present site of the Manufacturers National Bank Building, 
but on October 15, 1895, the Odd Fellows Building was dedicated and quarters 
were prepared in it which were to house the postoffice for a few years. The 
change from I'.ank Street, where the mails had been handled since 1870, was made 
as soon as the old lease expired on July 11. 1900. 

Waterbury had agitated long and contentiously for a postoffice In 1900 it 
had again outgrown its Cjuarters and Congressman Nehemiah D. Sperry was 
working to have the city placed on the list for an appropriation, which was how- 
ever by no means adequate. The site was to cost no more than $40,000, and the 
building with all appurtenances was to be kept within the $150,000 approi)riation. 
No action was taken, however, until i(/)2, when on the strength of sympathy for 
Waterbury's loss by the big fire, Mr. Sperry had the matter rushed through. 

In the summer of 1902 an inspector of the United States Treasury Department 
came to \\'aterbury to look over the available sites. Within a week he had been 
tendered eight diiTerent [jroperties, but made it clear to the business men that his 
choice lay between the property at West Main Street and Holmes Avenue, on 
which the \\'aterbur}- Club is now building and the present site. 

The men interested in the development of Grand Street got together and 
found that the properties really wanted by the Government would mean a 158-foot 
front on Grand Street, and were known as the Blake, Dykman and Peck proper- 
ties, for which approximately $58,000 was asked. This was divided as follows: 
$25,000 for the Rlake property, $15,000 for the Dykman holdings, and $18,000 
for the Peck property. 

The sum of $18,000 was raised within a few hours through the eft'orts of 
Thomas D. Barlow, George E. Boyd and George L. White. The net amount 
contributed was $14,000, as the Boys' Club site was set off and netted the con- 
tributors a return of $4,000. The following contributed ; 

The Waterbur)' National Bank. The A. S. Chase Co., The American Printing 
Co., D. T. Mart, D. E. Fitzpatrick, Charles O'Connor, Margaret D. .Atkins, George 
E. Judd, W. H. Camp. The Reid & Hughes Dry Goods Co., E. B. Bowditch, H. S. 
Chase, J. H. Whittemore, George L. White, Harriet W. Harrison, John W. GaflF- 
ney. Elisha Leavenworth. Lewis Beardsley. D. H. Tierney. New England Engineer- 
ing Co.. and The Barlow Brothers Co. 

On January 14, 1903. land was officially deeded to the Government by George 
E. Boyd for $40,000. 

Work was begun in t!ie sirring from plans of Supervising Architect Taylor 
of the Treasury Dei)artment. which provided for a luiilding much on the style 
of other public structures in the country. The front is nf limestone and red brick. 




posToFP'u ■]•:. WAT i;h I in;\' 




'JTIh; Cnl'U'lIKll si:. W ATi:i!l:lT!\ 



\\A'ri';Ri;rKv an'd tii!'. naucatlick waller- ->i 

with (inianieiil.il half pillars on each side nf the entranee. The interioi' tinish is 
uf stucco and wood. ( )n l''eliruai\ ij, 11)05. the |Jostoffice was moved int(] its new 
quarters wilhoul cereuKnu ot' am kind. 

In 1SS4 there were four carriers of whom two ai'e still in the service, hihii |. 
Kunkcl, ( arrier \o. ,?, and Charles I lotchkis-.. Carrier .\o. 1, h,hn W. riill will 
(in Januar\ 1. hilS. celeljrate liis liflieth \car m the service, lie has lieen post- 
master, .t.;eneral clerk, money order clerk, ,nid is now emplo\ed in the monev order 
division. In iSij:; the force consisted of ciLdil ckrks, im carriers ,ind one sulistitute 
carrier. 

In ii)i7 there ,ire fin-t\-se\en lemilar cn-rieis, .mil three extras, making fifty 
in ,all. Thc're .are fort\'-threc clerks in ill departments. 

There .are four star routes idunecled w Uh the local iiostoflice. ( )iie of these 
is a niL;ht .\ew I l.ix'eil s(.r\ ice , .inolhcr i;i\ cs four d.(-|\ deliveries and returns frcjui 
\orth W'oodhnry : another four d,iil\ deliveries .and returns from \\ .ilirlown. 
and .a fourth ,i;i\es one ilail\ delivery ,iud return from Torriiii^ton. 

There .ire four rural routes out of llie \\'.iterliur\ postotfice. 

The W aterville postottice is ,111 indipcaidcnl station, with (le(]rL;e II. I'ord .as 
superintendent. There are in .addition lo this nine suh-station.' . 

The ]).irccls post started in 1(114 "''1' ""c U.iiii us.,1 t'or p.irl of .1 d.i\. In hii7 
the ser\ ice consists of one auto truck and three le.anis. 

'The screen wa,L;i>n service for rei;istered iii.iil consists of iwo Tirsl-cl.iss auto 
trucks. 

In HMJ the dem.inds for more room resulted in ,111 .ippropri.ilion of .i|ipro\i- 
mately S<i,ii(i<i. to cover chan;L;es upsl.iiis and on the in.un floor, dhe upper lloiu' 
now honsi's the money order .and reL;i^lr\ divisions, with new offices for the post- 
master. \hout S'cHi s(|uare feet of sp.ice h.is heen .added to the workint^ i|uarlers. 

Tfie i;rowth of the postofflce has kept pace with the .growth of the cit\. 1 'ost- 
otifice receipts for iSij^^ wa-re S50.047 : for mni, w ere .S'^o. iSo.i 14 ; for mjk.i, Si()_>.- 
287.60; for ii|M>, .'^-'^J, I _>(i.ijo ; for nine nionilis of 11)17, -Si73.< i77.'K). 

The iKistmasters since lN(|:; have heen: i.'^i)4, I ol. John T.. l)ohertv; i.'s()4 to 
1898, Daniel I'.. Fitz]iatrick ; iScjS to mod, |. ||, ( iuernsev : I'l'H' to mi 5. Times 
H. Pillino; i(,i5, !■., .M. (.)T,rien. 

John 'T. T.oylan was assistant postmastrr for .ill of these .appointics from i.S()4, 
sitcceedint;- D.niiel \l. TMtzpatrick in that year, until the date of his death, lauu.arv 
I, 1916. James 'T. Kelley is now assistant postmaster, 

'The postal s.ivint^s department started here as elsewhere in iwi 1 and Tias 
been very successful. 'There are .at preseiil, .Vi.vemher 1, IWI7. i,4'«i oper.atin;; 
accounts with total deposits of .'s.v^''^.--' ' ■ 

This shows almost .a record percent.i^e of -rovv'h for the L'uited .'States. 'The 
figures for the six years .are .as follows: 

( jctoher ;^i. mil $ 1.117 

( )ctoher 31 , iwi-' i).'ii7 

( )ctoher ,^i , i()l_^ I -I -47-' 

October 31, 11)14 h),')T,^ 

October ,^ 1 , k 1 1 5 4'>,.Si;i) 

October 31, miii i<)0.74o 

October ,^ 1 , ic)i 7 .188. _'J 1 

In May, 1891. the letter carriers working out of the \\'.aterhnrv office formed 
an organization, which is still active. Its officers in 11)17 '^^^"- Tresident, William 
McLean; recording secretary, .\. W, Xichols; Tmancial secrelarv, i. I. .Scaddeii ; 
treasurer. George A, Stevens, 



CHAPTER V 
PARKS AND CEMETERIES 

FIRST MAP OF HAMILTON PARK ENLARGING THE CITY's HOLDINGS — LANDSCAPE 

WORK DRAINAGE FOR PONDS ANNUAL TAX PROVIDES FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS 

— CHASE PARK CREATED SWIMMING POOL A BIG SUCCESS — ATHLETIC FIELD 

EQUIPPED — PLAYGROUNDS BOUGHT FOR DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF CITY THE MU- 
NICIPAL FIELD DAY'S — THE LATER HISTORY OF THE GREEN THE CLOCK AND THE 

FLAGSTAFF — THE FRANKLIN STATUE — THE CITY's CEMETERIES. 

Tlie [Kirk system of \VaterI)urv is the growth of the past twenty years. Aside 
from The dreen, there were no pubhc breathing spots or playgrounds two decades 
ago. HamiUon I'ark had just been given to the city by Mrs. David B. Hamilton 
in memory of her husband, and its improvement was a slow matter. The city 
officials could not see the importance of getting the full benefit of this beautiful 
spot at once. It was due largely to the constant urging and to the planning and 
work- of Citv Engineer Robert Cairns that the first real steps toward ]>ark devel- 
opment were taken. 

The lirst map of Ilaniilton I'ark was made by City Engineer Cairns in 1900. 
lie then announced that the completion of a contour map in 1901 would make 
possible the systematic improvement of the park. The first work along this gen- 
eral line in 1901 was the laying out of the old Plank Road and the "Brass Mill" 
Road, which bounded Hamilton I'ark on two sides. 

In 1902 the lirst notalile improvement w-as made in Hamilton Park, the two 
l)arcels of land fomiing the triangle at the juncture of East Main Street and the 
Plank Road having been purchased to give the park a better entrance on East Main 
.Street. In 1902, also, the survey of South or Windermere Park was made, so that 
the way was now clear for the actual work of transforming the park area into a 
garden spot. In 1903, at the suggestion of City Engineer Cairns, Landscape Archi- 
tect George Pentecost, of New York, prepared the first formal plan for the future 
development of the park. Mr. Cairns in this year took the first step to create the 
present lake ponds, which were then little better than mud holes. He began with 
the helj) of the street department to clear both of mud, arranged to fill the bottoms 
with gravel, and to construct a long and deep drain from Silver Street through the 
park to the ponds, thus enabling him in 1904 to regulate the water level. The grad- 
ing of two-thirds of a mile along the main drive gave the people an opjjortunity 
for the first time to get a view of the interior of this beautiful stretch of ground. 

In 1904 the expenditure of the .$5,000 appropriation under the direction of the 
city engineer was devoted to the rougher work, leaving the finer work for a later 
I)eriod. Especial attention was given to the widening of the main drive and getting 
its surface smooth and hard. The slopes along the driveway were covered with 
loam and seeded. .\ number of foot |)aths were laid out and roughly graded, care 
being taken to avoid too heavy cutting or nnming into valuable trees or shrubbery. 
These considerations compelled some variations from the exact locations shown 
on the plans of the park, but in general this was strictly followed. The total 

52 




CKKK.N, WITH ST. .lollN'-S ClUliCH AXil Si )LI )l i:i;s' MUM _MI;nt. WATKU lil K V 




\TK\\ 111' \\ i;s-|' MAIN' STKKKT. I.omKIM; Ndin'll. WA'l'i:!! IITKY 



\^ATERl',^K^• .\nd the nalu.atuck valley 53 

length of driveway in tlie park at the end of 11)04 ^^'-'s ,v-54 lineal feet, and the 
length of paths was O.cS.^o feet. 

On the path along the top of the ridge parallel tu the 1 'lank Road a small 
rustic summer house was built with rustic seats. The old mill dam on Carrington 
Brook was re])aired and made tight, and the small pond cleaned out and refilled 
with gravel. 'I'his made a shady little wading pond. The most expensive piece of 
work done in 11)04 was the completion of the work of digging out the sink south of 
the L'lank Road and north of the Tompkins jjroperty. and the completion of the 
connection with city water. There had always been a pond here, with a consider- 
able depth of soft, peaty mud at the bottom, and several children had in times past 
lost their lives there. It was now easy to arnuige for an ornamental fountain in 
the center of the pond. 

The fountain in Stanley l';irk, done entirely by the city engineer's department, 
was completed in 1904. 

(_7eorge C. Walker took active charge as suijerintendent in i()05, having been 
appointed in the previous year. Some new paths were laid nut and gradetl and 
the main drive was extended across Carrington lirook and given a new outlet at 
the Plank Road. A concrete steel .•irch bridge w.'is liuilt at the lirook crossing 
and much pains was taken in the design of the structure and in the arrangement of 
the various accessories to produce a pleasing effect. 

The small pond used for a skating rink during the winter was drawn down in 
the spring and the gravel refilling to a uniform de[jth of 30 inches was completed. 
A fountain was ])laced in the center and it was decided to try the experiment of 
using the pond as a swimming and wading pool. Duly children under twelve years 
were admitted. A shelter was built for the boys and a room in a barn nearby was 
used by the girls for dressing. A man was always on dutv at the ]iond to guard 
against accidents and to prevent boisterous conduct, 1 )uring J'il\- and August the 
pool is used daily by several hundred children. 

The playground idea was made prominent in 1005. Besides the swimming and 
skating, swings were jiut up in the grnve, and a ball lield roughly laid out. By 
actual count on one Sund;u- this summer. nearK 3,000 peojile entered Hamilton 
Park. 

A special .appropri.ition of $13,000 was made in 11)13 *'-"■ '1'*^' JHirchase of all 
of the land not alread)' owned by the city in the block bounded bv East Main 
Street, Plank Road, and the Brass Mill Road. The owners held out for $17,500, 
and the matter being brought to the attention of Miss Caroline A. Piatt, she 
generously offered to make up the difference. Her oft'er was accepted, and the 
land purchased and nanieil 1 'r()|irietors" Common, in memory of the original 
settlers of Waterbury. 

The city now held in one comi)act tract ,-it this point about sixtv-ti\e acres of 
land, and the next step was the improvement of the Plank Road. 

In 1905 Mrs. A. .S. Chase purchased the land adjoining the Naugatuck River 
and Riverside Street, between the hospital grounds and Riverside Cemetery, a 
tract beautifully situated and well-wooded, and presented it to the citv to be 
used for park purposes as a memorial to her husband. Taken in connection with 
the hospital and cemetery grounds, it makes a continuous line of park for nearly 
a mile. 

A charter amendment providing for an annual tax for park purposes of one 
quarter of a mill passed the General Assembly and became a law operative for 
1906. Consequently there was available for 1907 about $10,730. Additions 
were made to the number of grass plots at street intersections, of which hereto- 
fore there were only .Stanley Park, at East ^lain and Elm streets, one at North 



54 \\■.\Tl■:R^.L■R^• and the XAUGATUCK XAIJ.FA' 

Main and Hili streets, and one at West Main Street and Highland Avenue. In 
1906 a small one around the elm tree at Bank and Grand streets, and another at 
North Main and Cooke streets were created. These green oases in the midst of 
paved streets added greatly to the attractiveness of the city. 

The appropriation under the new tax hrought ahout rapid improvements 
j)arlicularly at Hamilton I'ark. lioats were placed on the lake for the first time. 
Flower beds were laid out. trees were set out. and work was begun on the swim- 
ming pool and on the athletic field. 

.\t Chase I'ark the tirst permanent improxements were made in 1907. 

In n)0~ the swimming pool at Hamilton Park was thrown open to the public 
and met with instant api)roval ; as did the playground opened in the spring of 
the vear. The Udrlh end was this year gi\en the [jlayground at Locust and W'al- 
init streets. 

It was found necessary in IQ07 to add several thousand yards of loam to the 
soil of The (Ireen l)efore seeding. This made it a beautiful park for the summer. 

In i(jo8 the "Indian liasin" to the left as one enters Hamilton Park was 
changed from a marsh into a tine lake, many aquatic jjlants adorning its surface. 

Ladies' day was instituted at the swimming pool, and benches were generously 
jilaced about the park during this year. 

During 1908 the work of grading and turfing Lilirary Park was begun, and 
1909 saw the removal of the Ilotchkiss Paper Company plant, the packing houses 
and residences, the result in every way justifying the improvements. 

In 1909 the ajipropriation from the special park tax amounted to $12,750. 
In Hamilton Park new paths were laid out. all buildings were painted and the 
children's playground was enlarged. 

In 1909 also new paths were constructed in Chase Park, seats were placed 
in all available spaces, and four iiand concerts were given during the summer 
months. 

The city in i<p9 established its third ])laygroinid, leasing a large plot of ground 
on Sylvan Avenue. 

The year 1909 is known as the elm-beetle year. The park department found 
it necessary to cut down forty trees, many of them the fine old trees jjlanted 
on The Green from 1842 to 1845. Constant spraying, however, put an end to the 
trouble, and there was little of this nature to contend with in the following year. 

In 1910 the small zoo at Hamilton Park had grown in a year and contained 
two monkeys, four coons, one possum, one red-tail hawk, one large owl. one fox, 
ten grey squirrels, and twenty guinea pigs, ahuost all donations. 

During this year, the pool was used for hockey and ])olo and in the summer 
as many as 500 children patronized it in a day. The baseball diamond and the 
lawn tennis grounds were laid out this year. 

Elisha Leavenworth's gift of $3,500. on condition that the city appropriate 
a like sum for a l)ridge over .^Icd I laul P>rook in Chase Park, hastened the work 
of improving this beauty spot. .\ new rustic dam, a new foot bridge and many 
new paths were laid. In this year the old Town ("eiuetery, which has not yet 
been improved, was added to Chase Park. 

In 191 I the a])i)ro])riation for parks had grown to $13,025. This year there 
were four ]>Iaygrounds, one-half acre in Washington Avenue having been added 
to the list. In this year Miss Helen E. Chase gave the old Watcrbury hospital 
l)uil(lings and grounds as an addition to Chase Park, in memory of her luother, 
Martlia Starkweather Chase. 

(One of the largest and luost expensive im])rovements in the city's park svstem 
was the grading and loaming of the sand bank on Riverside Drive. 



WATKRUl'RV AXD THE XAUGATUCK VALLEY 55 

1 )uring i<)i 1 Euclid A\ciuic I'ark was graded, luaiiicd and seeded. 

In i(;i_' a new rustic bridge was built uver Carrington Brook in the main 
driveway in Hamilton Park. The zoo was also greatly enlarged, two swans being 
among the gifts. The athletic field was enlarged, one new double lawn tennis 
court and one basketball held were laid out. 

In iyi3 Hamilton Park had become the great breathing place of the city. It 
was in this year that the entire population seemed to regard it as a [)layground. 
Thousands attended a very successful skating carnival, as well as two municijial 
athletic meets. Memorial Day exercises by the children proved an attractive 
feature. The lawn tennis tournaments, the Ijaseiiall games, basketball games, all 
drew large crowds. These event> ha\e beccime permanent and have in the past 
\car been more extensive than e\er. 

In 1913 a movement was begun to replace the elms destroyed on The (Ireen ii; 
i(;i(). In all sixteen elms were planted, of which nine were donated t" the cit_\ 
bv (ieorge Tracy. Eight .additional elms were planted in 1914. 

The Chase Park Recreation llnu^e wa^ renovated throughout, furniture in- 
stalled, and a supervisor placed in charge. The opportunities for recreation 
include gymnastics, basketball, dancing, readmg, sewing, etc. 

In 1916 the Goss family jM-esented the city with eighteen acres at the east end of 
Hamilton Park, and this addition is now being improved. In 1917 the American 
llrass Comjiany ga\'e the city fnc acres adjoining Hamilton P.ark on the south. 
These gifts will in the near luturi', when the many improvements are completed, 
round out Hamilton Park. 

In November. 1917, through the .agency of Lewis S. Reed, of the Manu- 
facturers National Bank, aiJiiroximately a dozen small tracts, involving property 
on the east and west sides of Cooke ."-Street, East Reid Street and adjoming thor- 
oughfares, was purchased and the aniinuncement was made that these lands will 
jirobably be the gift to W'aterbury nf a iiublic-siiirited citizen. It is the purpose 
of the donor to create a new city ]i,irk. 

The official valuation of the park i)r(ipeny at the beginning of pjifi was 
*s(j55,000. With the recent addition^ it is now well over the million mark. In 
this valuation The (_ireen is ]ilaced ,il ,^5 10.000. 

Till-: i..\ri-;K 11 isriiio nv iiif. ckkkx 

The Green is a ci\ic treasure which is so dear to nur citizens that they are 
never able to agree what shall be done to it or with it. Nothing in W'aterbury 
impresses the obser\ant \isitor as much a> this beautiful central park and it is 
justly the pride of our citizens to m.-iintain its fresh sightliness. When it w;is 
graded, fenced and planted w Ub Jm trees in 1.S42 the work was paid for by 
public subscription, j. M. L. and W. 1 1. ."^covill jjroviding about half of the money. 
Se\'enty years afterwards when xjnie nf these trees died some of our citizens 
hastened to provide young trees to >ucceed them. From iSqO to I'MO, when 
tlie elm-leaf beetle committed its ravages hereabouts, the trees on The ( Ircen 
were at their finest, and the long rows of great elms pre-ented vi>ta^ nf great 
charm. It is no v.onder that our peojile lo\e The Green. 

This aft'ection takes two fnrms, part of the population desiring to add orna- 
ments or encumbrances to The (ireen and the remainder being anxious to kei-p 
it free of everything but grass and trees. Mayor Kilduff must be placed in the 
latter class for in 1902 he summarily removed and banished to Hamilton Park 
the wooden band-stand which had stood for ten years, and which had had several 
predecessors. Air. KildulT pronounced it to be "the last relic of a jay town" 



56 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VAIJ.EY 

and forthwith the proper authorities saw that it went. While it stood there band 
concerts were held on The Green regularly during the summer in most years and 
as the population of the city grew, the attendance ran up into the thousands so 
that it was impossible for everybody to keep on the walks and the grass plots 
suffered. This is what led to the removal of the band-stand. 

The original suggestion for the Soldiers' Monument was made in an editorial 
in the Waterbur)' American on November 26, 1870, and was occasioned by the 
overthrow by the wind of a ship's mast which did duty as a liberty pole. It stood 
almost in the same location as the present steel flagstaff. The editor of the 
American expressed satisfaction at the removal of "the unsightly mast that had 
swayed in the wind so long" and expressed a hope that "some work of art — a 
monument or a fountain — which shall be a real ornament to The Green" would 
be erected in its stead. A series of articles followed, which eventually resulted 
in the erection, fourteen years later, of the monument. However, when its site 
was selected, the feeling that The Green should not be encumbered helped to 
determine its location at the west end of The Green instead of upon it and at 
the center. 

The only adornment (or encumbrance) placed upon The Green in the last 
twenty-five years is the handsome granite clock tower erected through the efforts 
of the Chamber of Commerce and the Waterbury Republican. This was dedicated 
on November 25. 191 5, in "Old Home Week." 

The clock was wholly the idea of Charles A. Colley, then president of the 
Chamber of Commerce, who had been talking up the project for more than a 
year. To arouse public interest he wrote a playlet produced at a benefit perform- 
ance at Fox's Theater, now The Strand, which netted $150, as a nucleus for the 
fund. The plan met with some opposition on the ground that no further monu- 
ments should be placed on The Green. To prove that his idea was popular, Mr. 
Colley went around asking likely prospects to subscribe a little, usually five 
dollars. \\'hen he got five $5.00 subscriptions in a day, he called it a day's work 
and quit. Thus the fund grew slowly but persistently until it approached $2,000. 
Then Mr. Colley electrified the community by announcing a gift of $2,500 from 
Truman S. Lewis to comi)lcte the clock fund. \'iolent thunderstorms ensued with 
efforts to prevent the erection of the clock, but Mr. Colley had already secured 
authorization from the city and having a good part of the public behind him 
defied opposition so that the work proceeded. On its completion its opponents 
found that the resttlt was much more satisfactory than they anticii)alcd though 
they still regret the loss of the flower bed which it had abolished. 

The 135-foot steel flag pole which was presented to the city during "Old Home 
Week," by George Tracy who collected the $600.00 necessary for this, met with 
no such opposition as Mr. Colley had encountered, some of the opponents of the 
clock subscribing to the fund to show that they did not object to a flag-staff on The 
Green. An American flag of the largest size regularly made, twenty by thirty feet, 
is hoisted on special occasions ; a smaller flag is for ordinary use. 

On Christmas Day, 1916, the large flag was hoisted. A very high wind was 
blowing (hat afternoon and it was found later that the strain had sprung the 
top mast of the pole. Mr. Tracy had this section taken down and shipped back 
to the makers, John Simmons & Sons of New York, who generously replaced 
it with a much stronger top mast which was hoisted into place in the spring of 1917. 
It is guaranteed to withstand the strongest wind. 

The late Elisha Leavenworth in his will left $15,000 for a monument of Benja- 
min Franklin which will be unveiled in 1918. 

The last article in his will was as follows : 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK WKELEV r>7 

"] furtlier direct that said iLxecutors (Edwin S. Hunt and John I\. Liayton), 
immediately make to the City of Waterbuiy a formal oiifer to erect on the westerly 
end of the Public Scjuare or '(ireen' in said City, a statue to Benjamin Franklin, 
with such necessary surroundings, railings and pavement as to them, my Executors, 
shall seem wise and proper, and to expend for the purpose a sum not to exceed 
$15,000: I further direct that in the event that the authorized officers of the 
City of Waterbury shall not give such consent within one year after the receijit 
of such proposition, said Executors are directed to turn said amount into the 
residuarv fund, and immediately and forthwith close up this estate."' 

Mr. Leavenworth in his lifetime discussed this bequest w-ith Edwin S. Hunt, 
one of his executors, and suggested that a committee of citizens have the selection 
of the statue in charge. 

With this in mind the following committee was appointed to select the scul]itor 
and to arrange for the site and all details connected with the erection and un\eil- 
ing: J. Hobart Bronson. chairm;ui ; C. P. Coss ; Re\- Charles A. Dinsmore. D. IX : 
J. Richard Smith: H. S. Chase; Dtis Northrop: Mark L. Sjierry: Miss Alice !■".. 
Kingsburv : and Miss Florentine H. llayden 

This committee in 1913 selected Paul Wayland Bartlett as the sculptor, .i 
choice that was not alone governed by the fame that Mr. ISartlett's many noteil 
works had brought him, but by the fact that he was a native of Waterbury, while 
his father, Truman Howe Bartlett, was himself a distinguished sculptor and did 
some 'prentice work here before he was able to study .iljniad. 1 le himself had been 
named after a noted citizen of Waterbury. 

Paul Wayland Bartlett was born in iSr>5. He essayed scul]itm-e as a boy, 
exhibiting at the age of fourteen in the .Salon at Paris a liust of his grand- 
mother. In 1S87 he won a medal at I'aris with his famous "Bear Tamer,'' now in 
the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. In 1900 at the Paris exposition, 
he represented the United States on the International Jury of Awards for .Sculp- 
ture. In 190S he was made an officer of the Legion of Honor, having been named 
a Chevalier in 1895. His princiiKil works are: statue of General Joseph Warren, 
Boston: equestrian statue of Lafayette, in the square of the Louvre, I'.aris, the 
gift to France from the school children of the L'nited States: statues of Columbus 
and Michel Angelo, in Congressional Library, Washington: a door for the tomb 
of Senator Clark in Woodlawn Cemetery ; six statues on the front of the New 
York Public Library : pediment over house wing of the Capitol, \'vashington. 
He is represented in all the leading nmscums and academies of design 1:y either 
original work or replicas. 

Mr. Bartlett, wdiose studio w;is in Paris, as soon as terms had been agreed 
upon, prepared a small model, shcnving Benjamin Franklin as philoso])her and 
diplomat, and this was exhibited in the rooms of the Mattatuck Historical Society. 

The local comment was favoral)le, although there were many wdio believed 
that Franklin should have been shown as a young man, but this was a matter 
which the committee left entirely to the artist, feeling that the statue was to an 
extent an inspiration, and it was not king until the consensus of opinion here 
favored the work the sculptor had shown. 

In the meantime, the war h;id broken out and the shipment to .\nierica of 
the large clay model frcjin whicli the cast was to be made was prohibited, conn'ng 
under the list of articles barred by the government from use of shipping. 

Mr. Bartlett then removed his studio to Washington and began work at once 
on an entirely new model, clinging, however, to the concepition of the ;iged sage, 
but greatly changing and imiiroving the plan of the work. It is now nearly ready 
for casting and he announces that it will be unveiled in 1918. 



58 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \-AELEV 

The question of a site has been under consideration for over a year. By the 
will of Mr. Leavenworth the "westerly end of The Green" was specifically des- 
ignated. This was in view of the old Leavenworth homestead being on West 
.Main Street, and thus there were considerations of a tender nature that inchned 
the nienihers to carry out the bequest literally. 

But there has always been a feeling in Waterbury among those who have an 
eye for landscape worlv that The Green was not a suitable site for either clocks 
or statuary, but that it was designed to be a iieautiful grass plot with walks and 
Hower beds, and old trees. It is quite certain that in time The Green will be 
practically surrounded by mercantile establishments. I'urthermore, it is impossible 
to give a beautiful statue the proper .setting in so sm.ill a park. 

The committee has therefore ciecided to place the statue in Library Park, 
where it will be part of what is even now considered the civic center of Waterbury. 

-Another projjosed addition to The Green which has aroused very mixed senti- 
ments is the erection of a public comfort station at the east end of The Green. 
This project took shape after the destruction of the old City Hall, which as re- 
modeled contained such an institution, though the fire forestalled its opening, 
and it was never used. After successive administrations had been under siege 
by both the opponents and advocates of the station for several years, an appropria- 
tion of $25,000 for the purpose was made in 1917 but the high construction costs 
that prevailed in the succeeding year made it impossible to build it within the 
appropriation much to the delight of those who were threatening injunction pro- 
ceedings. The money remains in the city treasury aw-aiting further decision. 

The Welton Fountain, erected at the east end of The Green in 1888, by the 
Caroline J. Welton estate, was a kindly thought born of Miss Welton's life-long 
love of horses. But this, alas, is an age of gasoline! For many years there was 
a hackstand on .Vorth Main Street, south of the fountain, while humble transfer 
wagons, drawn by even humbler steeds, rested at the curb to the north while 
waiting for custom, .\utomobiles and auto-trucks have almost completely dis- 
placed the horse-drawn vehicles e.xcept for certain heavy freight duty and it is 
rarely now that a horse gets a drink from the Welton Fountain. Sentiment would 
l)revent converting it into a gasoline filling station which would be more useful 
in these degenerate days. On this account, there was a movement in 1917 to re- 
move the fountain to the west end of Library Park on the plaza of the Union 
Station where it would serve many hard-working beasts which are still traveling 
to and from the freight yards. .\t the end of the year the change seemed a prob- 
ability of the near future. 

WATlCRCfRV's CEMETERIKS 

Riverside Cemetery, which is the oldest of Waterbury's burial places, was 
founded in tlie year of the organization of the city and while its acreage was 
considerably enlarged before 1893, there have been no additions made since that 
time. Now. however, more room is needed and land is to be acquired at an 
early date. 

By the death of S. W. Hall, March 5, 1877, the association became the recipient 
of a bequest of $20,000, to be expended in the erection of a memorial chapel 
■'for the use of funerals and for funeral services." This fund was allowed to 
accumulate until it amounted to $25,000, and the chapel was built in 1884 and 
1885 from designs ])rcpared by R. W. Hill. The chapel was dedicated June it, 
1885. Addresses were made by the Revs. Drs. Rowland and Anderson, and the 
dedicatory prayer was offered by the Rev. ]. L. Peck. The other services were 




CUKK OX THE (iUEEX, WATEKBURY 



^VATl:;RllL■|\^■ axd Tiii'. XAr(;ATL'c;K \ allfa' .'o 

fumluclcil li\ olhtT I'rdtot.inl ilcrnymcn nf tlir city anil tlu' Iniiin^ anil antliL-ni> 
were sinij; 1a a churn- -clecicil fmni ilic several church chuirs. In 1^03 the 
chapel \\a- repaireil ami ihnniu^hly rcnii\ateil. and the ^pire entirely rehuilt at 
a cost of S5.1HJO. The expense was assnnieil by j. S. Mltun ani Mrs. ('. X. Way- 
land, in accordance with the wishes of their niuther. Mrs. ( )livt' M. I'dton. 

It was aLjreed. when the liy-laws were adniiled, th.il "all niiine\s accrniny 
from sales of loi> should he expended in the pinchase and impro\ enieni of the 
i;rounil." .\ price was affixed to the lot- "mi nioderate as to he withni reach of 
the hunihlesl means." and i! was hoped that this wciulil "alTord a -ul'ficient sum 
to secure adequate protection and attention for the grounds." But this expecta- 
tion has not heen realized, and from the l>eginnin<,>- the trustees have lieen dejiendent 
on the gifts of persons specially interested in the cemetery to carry on necessary 
work. l*"or several \ears after it was opened, fairs were held in its hehalf. and 
specific suliscriptions of considerahle sums have heen recei\ed fmni time to time 
for special [nirposes. The association has received individual gifts for permanent 
investments amounting to over ^20,000. A special charter was ohtained in iSSd. 

']"he total number of interments from the ojiening of the cemeler\ tn the date 
i.if the annual meeting, in iSij^. u.is 4.J7.'s. I'o Xovemher 1, njij ilure have 
been "./QQ interments in l\i\crside (enielery since it was first opened. In 1X1)5 
James S. Elton was elected president and .\. J. W elton secretary and treasurer. 
The trustees were as follows: |. R. .^mith, .X. 1 ). ( Iranniss, Klisha l,e,L\ en worth, 
E. L. iM-isbie. J. S. Elton, !•'. J. kingsbury, X. j. Welton. 

The present trustees are James S. 1-dton, (.)tis S. Xorthrop. \'\ W . Judson, 
(1. C. Hill, J. Richard Smith, .\. J. Smith. I' . S. Ih.ise. Its president is James 
S. Elton; secretary, hdetcher W. Judson. The latter succeeded to the position 
of secretary, treasurer and su])erintendenl on the death of Mr. Welton in 1917. 

The custodian of the grounds is lienr\- M. Hegn.il, who succeeded his f.ilher 
on the death of the latter. 

ST. lOSKPir's cE.MirrKRII.S, nin AM) .\l:\\ . \.\l> e.\L\',\RV ClOlI'.ll'UV 

St. Jose])h's cemeteries, both old and new, on llaniilton Avenue, have not 
been enlarged in the past twenty-tive years. The old cemetery which contains 
about twenty acres was bought in 1S37 by Father Hendricken and the new cemetery 
was bought in 1893 by Monsignor Slocum and consists of twenty-fimr acres, 
located at Hamilton Avenue and I'earl Lake Road. 

Calvary Cemetery on East M.ain Street on the (.'heshire Road, coni[>rises about 
sixty-seven acres. In 1SS5, the l\e\ . Wm. .\. ll.irt\- purchased hfty-three acres, 
and the Rev. John A. Mulcahy. the rem.iinder in .\ugust of 1S91. It was con- 
secrated by the Rev. Michael Tierney on May _'4th. 1894, the sermon on the 
occasion being jireached by the Re\. James F. ( )T)onnell, of Watertown. 

The three cemeteries belong to the Innn.aculate Concejition Parish, and the 
superintendent is the head of the parish. Ke\. leather h'itzsinions, liut they ai'e 
for the use of the entire L'atholic commnnitN'. 



I'ine Grove Cemeterv, which w.as estahlishefl in the .Mill i'lain Distiict in 1X54 
was greatly extended in .\pril, iSijS, by the purchase of ground extending through 
to the Southmayd Road making in all twenty acres of burial ground. It was 
incorporated in January, 1SS7. Its founders were : Milo .Sacket, Leon.ird Warner. 
James Porter, Mark Warner, Edward Scott, Jesse (. iJoolittle, Ee\inus Warner, 
Leonard Hall. Charles Frost, C.avlord ,\lcott. Merrit Scott. 



60 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VAELEY 

The trustees of the association for the year 1917 are: Warren B. Hitchcock, 
Edson A. Hitchcock, Mark L. Warner, Theodore Munson, George C. Walker, 
Arthur I^. P.lewitt, Miss Fannie H. Porter. 

WATICKN'ILI.E CEMETERY 

The land embraced in the orijjinal W'alerville Cemetery, which lies on the hill 
just east of the main road, has twice been extended in the past quarter century 
and now comprises se\eral acres. It was originally laid out for sixty-four lots, 
on ground deeded by Daniel E. Sprague and Anson Downes. In 1916, the ceme- 
tery, which had been enlarged by an additional acreage a decade before, made 
an arrangement with the Chase Metal Works by which its main street front 
was traded to that company for an adequate strip of land on the other side of 
the cemetery on Fort Hill Avenue. 

The present officers are: Fred Jackson, president; 'J'homas I'urton, secretary, 
and Horace Garrigus, director and in charge of the cemetery. 

|-(iri< JI'.W'ISII CICMICTERIi;s 

There are now four Jewish cemeteries in Waterbury. The oldest of these 
belongs to what is known as the "Reform" Congregation, and is known as Melchi- 
zedek Cemetery' on the Cheshire Road. This was bought in 1S75. In the last 
decade the two O. R. O. lodges, ]'>rass City and Gladstone, opened a joint burial 
place on the Wolcott Road. Later cemeteries were opened in the same district 
by the Watcrburv llebrew licncfit Association Xo. I. and \\'aterburv Star Lodge, 
I. O. B. A. 

Tin-: town's cemetery 

What was known as the 'i'own's Cemetery, con)])ri<ing three acres near River- 
side, which had been used for the bUrial of the poor for two decades, was closed 
in 191 1. The fence around it was removed and the acreage was added to Chase 
Park. It remains as it was in that year. I'urials of the ])oor are now made in 
the various cemeteries of the city. 



CFIAITI'.K \l 
SCHOOLS, LIBRARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

GROWTH IN SCHOOL POPULATION — TWO IMPORTANT CHANGES IN SCHOOL GOVEKN- 
MENT — ITS NEW MODEL HIGH AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL STRUCTURES — OUTSIDE 
SCHOOL DISTRICTS INCLUDED — EVENING SCHOOLS — MEDICAL INSPECTION — MAN- 
UAL TRAINING — PLAYGROUNDS — ■ SALESMANSHIP SCHOOL CONTINUATION 

SCHOOL — VOCATIONAL SCHOOL — VALUE AND EXTENT OF SCHOOL PROPERTY — PRI- 
VATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS — DAVID G. PORTER I'.EOtT.ST — l,ll'.KAK\ AND MAT- 
TATUCK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

On Septc'iiiber i. \')\J. the Iii.'.i,nnnin.i;- nf tlic prcsriit scIkkiI year, there were 
enrolled in the pulilie and private schools of Waterhury J2,q53 pupils. (3f these 
16,833 attended the public schools and 6.120 the parochial and otb.er ])rivate 
schools. The school census enumeration of children between the aijes of four 
and sixteen was 26,410. This was a gain of 2,418 over the enumeration of the 
previous year, while the enrollment shows a gain (if i,8<)o. 

The total number of children in the <listrict in iS<)3, the begimiing of the 
quarter century, was 8,475. 

The superintendent of schools, in bis report for 18(13, made the following 
general statement in regard to the schoolhouses (jf the Center District: "All 
the buildings now in use, fourteen in number, h.avc been erected within the last 
twenty-two years. They contain eighty-four school rooms, and some have recita- 
tion rooms in addition. They are substantially built, are in good repair, and afford 
ready egress in case of fire. Two of them, the I'.ank Street and the Clay .Street 
buildings, arc excellent in design and will compare fa\orably with anv other school 
buildings in the state in the same grade." 

The annual report for the year ending October i, 18(54, showed that there were 
fifteen school buildings in use in the district. The number of school-rooms in use 
was ninety-three, and the number of teachers, including assistants, was 120. 
The total number of boys registered during 1893 was 3,145, and of girls, 2,(502, 
making a total of 6,047, — a" increase of 375 over the previous year. This was 
exclusive of pupils in the evening schools. The total number registered in the 
evening schools, was 814. The average attendance at the evening schools declined 
from 495 in November, 1893, to 254 in February, 1894, and 114 in March. The 
number of pupils in attendance at the day schools during the spring term of 1895 
was 5,289. The following table will serve to show not only how they were dis- 
posed of, but the number and the location, approximately, of the schools of the 
district in 1895. (Under "high school"' are included temporary accommodations 
in the Moriarty block. ) 

High School 1. 1 34 Last Main Street 197 

Elm Street 4(90 Ridge Street 356 

Clay Street 389 Hillside Avenue 118 

Bank Street 651 Sperry Street 324 

Bishop Street 432 Locust Street 383 

Porter Street 315 Dublin Street 117 

Washington 262 Westside Hill [41 

61 



62 WATRRBUKY A\I) THE XAIGATUCK \AI.LF.V 

Duriiij,' tln' winter term. 1S93-94, the nuinl)er of \n\\nh in the high school 
proper was i(;i. ( )f this iiumher, thirty-eight graduated and a few left the school 
to enter en]i)Ioyment. The number of grammar school scholars who passed 
examination for admission was 1 10, making the number at the summer term 252. 
These were ])acl<ed into quarters originally designed for only 1 14. In several 
other rooms tiie condition reported was almost as bad, but in some of them at 
least temporary relief was obtained by additions to the buildings or the securing 
of rooms elsewhere to take care of the overflow. At the district meeting held 
May y, 1895, it was voted to erect a new high school building at a cost of $100,000, 
and to enlarge the Bishop .Street and Bank Street schools at an expense of $30,000 
additional, '["he expenses of the district during the year 1894 were nearly 
.$i50,(X)c), of v.hich the largest items were, for salaries $(So,ooo and new buildings, 
re])airs, etc.. about $16,000. 

Until iiS(/; the charter as amended in iSSo and 1S95 governed in school 
matters, and the following excerpts from two sections of that document describe 
succinctly the methods by which the controlling power was elected and by which 
taxation for school purposes was levied. 

"Said Center School District shall annually, on the first Monday of October, 
choose by ballot a district committee consisting of five persons, a board of educa- 
tion consisting of seven persons, a treasurer, two auditors and a clerk; no person 
shall hold more than one of said offices, and all of said officers shall be residents 
and legal voters of said Center .School District. 

"Said district committee shall have the general care and management of the 
concerns of said district; enumerate and make return of the scholars at the time 
and in the manner jirovided by law for other school districts ; employ teachers 
approved by the board of education: make a list of the polls and ratable estate of 
all the inhal)itants in said district whenever it becomes necessary, for the purpose 
of taxation; shall exercise control over the exjjcnditures of all moneys belonging 
to said district: make all contracts for furnishing of supplies, building and 
repairing of schoolhouses, and, with the concurrence of the board of education, 
abate such taxes as, in their judgment, ought to be abated." 

On June 20, 189^), the first notable change in the government of the schools 
was effected by act of the Legislature. By it, the boundaries of the city were 
fixed as those of the Center School District. The name Center School District 
was abolished. The law then ordains that "said new department of education 
shall be under tlie control of the board of education, consisting of the mayor, 
who shall be ex officio chairman, and seven members, who shall be elected bienni- 
;illy at the meetings of said city for the election of officers ; and for ^^^urpose 
separate ballots shall be provided in the several voting places in s-4^^Kfy. The 
terms of office of said members shall begin on the first Monday of January 
next following their election, and the ])rovisions of the charter of said city in 
relation to the jjowers and duties of city olificcrs shall apply to said members." 

It further jjrovided that the board of education "shall have the entire charge 
and direction of all the public schools of said district, and of the expenditure of 
all moneys a])]>ro|)riated for the support of the same." 

On the matter of taxation, it provided that "the treasurer of the city shall 
receive the amount of school money to which the district is entitled from the 
school moneys of the state, from the Town of W^aterbury, from state aj)propria- 
tions for school purposes, from gifts, and from the tax laid within the district 
for school purposes, which moneys shall be subject to the order of the board of 
education under such rules and regulations as the board of finance may from 
time to time establish. The board of eclucation shall submit to the board of 




rill-: iiiMccs s(ii():ii., w Ai i:i;i;i i;\ 




I ill w I r.^i 1 i; --( III Mil w Aii;i;iu'i;v 



^\•ATERl■.L■K^■ \xi) riii': .\ai"i_;atuck \'ai.ij-a ii-'> 

linanct; uf llu- city, at tlit- tiiiK' I'lNcd liy law fur the Miliniissicni of the estimates 
of other deijartmeiits (jf said city, a detailed estimate of its expenses for the 
next year for which the approi)riations for city purposes are hy law refiuired 
to be made, specifying sei)arately the sums needed for current and for special 
expenses, but no tax shall be laid ujion any i>roperty lying outside of the present 
limits of the City of Waterbury and within the limits of said city as hereby 
established at a rate exceeding one-half uf the rate (if taxation iipnn prciperty 
lying within the present limits of said city." 

This was at least ,i partial consolidation of school ami city g(i\ ernnunt^. hut 
the amended charter of i^oi made com])lete c(jnsolidation depend up<in the wishes 
of voters in the districts, h'or the ])urpnse uf gi\ing a clear idea (if what seems 
;i complicated method of taxation, the fwu cl;nise- of the .amended charter .-ire 
(juoted ((uite fully : 

•■."^aid Citv of \\;iterhui-y. (in and after said date, sh.-ill be divided intc twu 
districts. The first district shall comprise .ill the territory of s.iid city, and the 
second district shall comprise all the territory th.it lay within the limits of said 
city as the same existed on the first (la\ of j.inu.iry. kjoi. excepting th.at all that 
territory lying east of the tity .Mills I'diid. >o called, and ( ireat Hrook, and which, 
with other territory of the Ikicks Mill School District, was .annexed to the Center 
School District of \\'aterhury. by the ( ieiieral Assembly at its January session. 
uSgy, is hereby restored to the s.aid liucks 1 lill School District .ind is ni.idc .a iior- 
tion of said first district. 

"All the inhabitants and |>r(ipert\ within the limits of the tirst district sh.ill 
be liable to taxation to defr.ay the burdens and expenses imposed upon said city 
by this act, to the same extent as they would ha\e been lialjle if s.iid burdens, ex- 
])enses, duties and powers had not been transferred from said town to s.iid city ; .ind 
in addition thereto for the expenses for the support of schools within that jLart of 
.said first .listrict lying outside the linnls of said sec(jiid district, to the same extent 
that the said town may now be liable, and for the exjienditures b\ the I'.oard of 
Health of said city (exclusive uf the expenditures for the collection and remoxal 
uf garbage), and police protection outside of said second district, and the expense 
of, less receipts from, criminal jirosecutions. which expense shall be ascertained 
and determined by the comptroller: and all other burdens and expenses of said 
city, including the support and maintenance of schools within the limits of said 
second district, shall be met by taxation levied u]Kin the inhabitants and pro])erty 
within the limits of the second district; and it shall be the duty of the assessors 
and Board of Relief of said citv to indicate in the compilation uf the grand list 
what is taxable by said city in each of the said districts: :in(l the public money 
derived from the taxation of the inh,ibit;ints and propert) of the second district 
exclusively shall not lie expended fur .iiiy purpuse for which the money of said 
city could not lawfully he exjiended at the time of the passage of this act: ])ro- 
vided, however, that the [iropertv Iviiig uutside uf the limits of the City of Water- 
bury, as established by the (ieneral Assembly of 1895, and within the liiuits of 
. the second district as established by this act, shall be taxed to meet its propor- 
tionate share for the support and maintenance of schools within said secvind dis- 
trict. Init for all other burdens and expenses of the said second district it shall be 
taxed at a rate not exceeding one-half of that necessary to be levied upon the 
remaining projjerty within said district in meeting such Inirdens and ex]ienses." 

It also provided that "the several school districts of the Town uf W'aterburv, 
outside of said second district, shall cuntinue tu remain as schuul districts with 
the same territorial limits, rights, powers, and obligations as now existing with 
the exception as set forth in si'ction seven of this act (liefore ([U(.ite(l) .md the 



64 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \"ALLEY 

obligations now imposed upon the Town of Waterbury, with respect to the sup- 
port of schools outside of said second district, are hereby imposed upon said City 
of Waterbury and shall be an expense incurred by and chargeable to the first 
district hereinbefore described." 

It also provided that "Whenever twenty-five electors, residing in any one of 
said school districts, shall petition the Board of Aldermen of said city that the 
school district within which they reside may be brought under the full jurisdiction 
of the second district heretofore described, said Board of Aldermen, after due 
hearing, shall fix a day on which all legal voters residing within the limits of said 
school district may vote upon the c|ueslion whether they are in favor of or 
opposed to said petition."' 

It was fourteen years before the first outside school district availed itself of 
its privileges under this law. In January, 191 5, Town Plot was the first district 
to vote itself under the jurisdiction of the Waterbury Board of Education. The 
Sprague (Waterville) district and the Mill Plain district voted themselves in in 
January, 1916. The Bunker Hill district came in on November i, 1917. 

Those -still operating as distinct school districts are Reidville and East Farms, 
which had formerly been one district. East Mountain, Bucks Hill, Hopeville, Park 
Road, and Oronoke, the latter two also a division of one former district. 

The last school board under the old law was as follows : 

lioard of Education: A. A. Crane, chairman; George H. Cowell, John D. 
Frency, Thomas J. Kilmartin. Charles S. Rodman. George W. Russell, Eugene 
.A. Pendleton. 

District Committee: A. I. Goodrich, chairman; Michael J. Byrne, Timothy J. 
Carmody, Otis S. Northrop, Edward T. Root. 

Treasurer, John Meyer; treasurer sinking fund. John W. Burns; auditors. 
John }. Dawson, Daniel M. Davis; clerk. T. J. Moran ; superintendent of 
schools, Berlin W. Tinker. 

The first Board of Education under the amended charter was as follows ; 

Hon. E. G. KilduiT, mayor, chairman : Charles S. Chapman, George H. Cowell, 
Edward W. Goodenough, John F. Hayes, Thomas J. Kilmartin, John J. McDon- 
ald, George W. Russell. The superintendent was B. W. Tinker. 

I'>om this period on the school growth was rapid. In 1899 the new Barnard 
and Webster schools, with ten and twelve rooms respectively, were opened. The 
remodeled Merriman and Hendricken schools were also in use practically as new 
buildings, and the Driggs school was nearly ready for occupancy. 

The system of furnishing text books free had been introduced into the schools 
in September. 1895, and has accomplished all that its supporters claimed for it. 

A system of physical training was inaugurated in the public schools of Water- 
bury in September, 1896, and was further extended. 

In 1896 the new high school on East Main Street was opened. The site cost 
the city $23,000 and the building complete cost approximately seventy-five thou- 
sand dollars. It was planned by Joseph A. Jackson. It was three stories in 
height, with offices and four class rooms on the first floor. 

.Across the entire front on the building on the second floor were the physical 
laboratory, the lecture room, and the chemical laboratory. .Ml these could be 
thrown into one large room by means of immense rolling jiartitions. making a 
room ninety-three feet long. The lecture room had raised jilatforms. Adjoining 
the ciiemical laboratory was a dark room with sink for jihotographic work. On 
this floor were also a teachers" room, with lockers, and three large recitation 
rooms, also four class rooms, all well lighted, and each with separate wardrobes 
for boys and girls. 




i,.\i;k s( ikmii., w Aii;i;i;rin 




lUNKKl; II 11.1. SCHdOl.. WATKKIUKY 



\VATHr<l!L-RV AX I) THE NAUGATUCK \-ALLEY C5 

The tliird lluor containrd a liiK- lari,^' asseniMy hall. (i_i feet liy 72 feet, with 
eeihnt; 20 feet in heis^ht. Tliis room was entirely clear of any i)osts or ohstructions. 
Jn the basement was located the ejvmnasiuni. 

The exterior was desi,£;ned somewhat in the colonial tyjie of architecture, and 
was 1)uili of iiult pressed brick with Indiana limestone and terra cotta trimmings. 
All the rooms had fresh air siiijjily ducts, and likewise ducts for the removal 
of the \itiated air. 'Jliese all connected with a central main duct in the basement 
.and run to the foul air -lathering rooni at the rear, which discharged outside of 
the luiilding liy the exhaust fan. The building w.as conipletelv remodeled lati'r. 

In June, Hjoo, the boanl re-est.ablislied the tr.iining school for teachers, with 
Adelaide \'. b'inch as jirincipal. 

.\t this ])eriod, HjCki, it was exident that the cit\' had alre.adv outgrown its 
high school cajwcity. The record of increase in .attendance shows that the school 
had more than doubled its attendance. 

Xo. of I 'uiiils 

i8i/j-i8<;7 '• • . 2;v 

1897-1898 321.5 

i898-i8(j9 .1.T 1.2 

iSqg-iQoo 43^>-9 

.'^eptember, 1900 41)4 

For the year 1901 the physical jilant of the Watcrlnirv schools consisted of 
eighteen buildings with a seating capacity of 7,5,^2. Dmang this year the W;dsh 
and Russell schools were opened, the W'.alsh School from designs by Josejih A. 
Jackson and the Russell School from ]>lans by Thomas M. h'reney. 

The Walsh School building was described in the report of this year as "located 
between Ashley and Dikenian streets, and fronts south looking towards Ashley 
Street. The building is three stories in height, with basement, having a frontage 
of 126 feet .and a depth of 67 feet. The principal entrance to the main floor is in 
the center of the front through a high arched entrance porch. Other entrances to 
the basement and main floor are provided at each end. Tiie first floor contains 
SIX class rooms and principal's room and teachers' room, with toilets, etc. The 
main corridor on each floor is twehe feet wide and runs the whole length of 
the building. The second floor contains si.x class rooms, teachers' room, recita- 
tion room and storage room. 1 he tlrrd floor contains six class rooms and one 
large recitation room, which can also be used as a class room if needed. There is 
also a teachers' room with toilets and store room. In the basement arc two large 
play rooms, one for the boys and one for the girls. aKn the bnvs' and girls' rooms, 
containing the sanitaries. The remaining space in the basement is used for the 
heating and ventilating apparatus, coal and fuel." 

"The Russell School," the report continues, "is two stories in height, witli 
basement and attic, hav'ng a fronta.ge on West Main Street of eighty-nine feet, 
and extending back on Wilson Street a distance of eighty-four feet The main 
entrance is on West Main Street, 0])ening from a porch with tiled floor, connect- 
ing with corridor. There is also an entrance to first floor on the west side of the 
buildmg from the school yard. There are marble stairs at each end of the btiibl- 
ing, leading from the first floor to the basement and from the first to the second 
floor. There are two entranct's to the Ijasement.'' In the building there were at 
the outset six school rooms. This capacity has been greatly increased. 

In 1903 the Mulcahy school, off ISaldwin Street, was opened. The building 
was three stories in height, not including basement ; it had a frontage of ■/2 
feet and a depth of 91 feet. The building had four entrances, one on the 
Vol. I—.'; 



66 WATl'.RP.URY AND THE NAUGATUCK \ALLF.Y 

front, one in rear, and one on each side. The basement contained play rooms for 
both boys and girls, sanitaries, engine room, fuel room and janitor's room. The 
first floor contained four class rooms, principal's office with toilet and supply 
room. The second floor contained six class rooms, one recitation room and 
teachers' room with toilet. The third floor contained six class rooms, recitation 
room and teachers' room with toilet. 

This year, 1903, the old Elm Street building was condemned and abandoned, 
and plans made for the new Margaret Croft School. 

The Sprague School at Waterville was remodeled and a large wing added. 

In the report of the superintendent for 1904, the crowded condition of the 
schools is again emphasized. He says : 

"Five new rooms have been opened and filled, and as soon as we have the 
funds, at least one more room must be opened. In September, 1905, there will 
be but three unoccupied rooms in the entire city and it is quite possible that these 
may be occupied. The attendance for September, 1904, has been a record 
breaker, the increase, 533, being larger than that in any city in the state, and 
probably larger than in any city of similar size in Xew England. 

"There has been no increase like this within recent years, and as far as I can 
see, there is not likely to be any immediate relief. The first grades throughout 
the city are greatly overcrowded, the room that has less than sixty in attend- 
ance being the exception, and many have over sixty-five pupils. These figures 
mean that if we would properly house these children, we must still continue to 
open about eight new rooms each year. It is surprising how evenly this increase 
is spread over the entire city. Of the thirty-one schools, twenty-four show an 
increase and seven remain practically stationary. Provision for additional rooms 
to be opened in September, 1905, should be made at the Webster School. Three 
rooms could have been occupied in this district this fall if we had had them. I 
would recommend that an eight-room addition to this school be built during the 
coming year and a portion be ready for occupancy in September, 1905." 

In the enumeration for 1904, the following schools showed large gains: 
Bishop and Driggs. 186; Lincoln, 56: Merriman, 102: Croft. 21S; Piunker Hill, 
25; Park Road, 25: Ilopeville, 40; Town Plot, 38. 

The growth of the city was again apparent in the records of 1905. The regis- 
tration was 9,413, an increase of 697. The new Alill Plain School was occupied 
and was a model district school. P.unker Hill purchased the site for a new 
eight-room building. Bucks Hill started on its new structure; Park Road opened 
its new four-room building. During 1904 and 1905 the districts voted over 
ninety-four thousand dollars for sites and school buildings. 

In Waterville. the Sprague School, later destroyed by fire, assumed some- 
thing of its present shape. The original building, which was erected ove^ fifty 
years ago, ser\Td the needs of the district until 1892. at which time a two-room 
addition was built to supply the want of a growing district. In 1897 it was neces- 
sary to add two more rooms to meet the increase, and six years later, in 1903, a 
four-room wing was added to the group. In 1905 it was deemed wise to give up 
the use of the first building for classroom needs and part of it was arranged for 
other uses, such as principal's office and supply rooms. A new brick addi- 
tion, erected in T905, contained on the first floor a kindergarten, and on the sec- 
ond floor a classroom and a principal's office. Each floor had roomy corridors. 

With the addition completed and occupied, the district in 1905 had nine class- 
rooms and one kindergarten for the accommodation of the school population. 

In 1 910 the Sprague School accommodations were again increased by the 
addition of a building containing three classrooms, a recitation room and a 
librarv. 




TOWN I'I,(1T S( IKldl. A DISTHU T 'I'Yl'h: OK lU'll-DIXO WATKRlintV 




THE WALSH SCHOOL, WATKRIU'RY 



WATERnUKV AND TIIK NAUclATUCK \ALLE\- 67 

The new Margaret Croft School, which took the place of the aliandoneil l^ni 
Street School, was opened in i<P5. This is three stories high and the stairways 
and landings were huilt of reinforced concrete. 

On the first floor are five classrooms, each 2~, by 28 feet ; a kinilcrgarten, 
25 hy 40, and a principal's room 11 by 25 feet, complete with toilet and lavatory. 

The second floor contains si.x classrooms, a teacher's room with toilet, and a 
library. The third floor is a duplicate of the second, with a supply rooni and 
hospital. 

'J"he building is covered with a flat roof, sloping to the center, fnmi which the 
rain water is drained by means of ])ipes extending down in tlie interior of the 
Iniilding, thus doing away with drip])ing cornices and frozen conductor pi]ies. 
The entrances for the scholars are on opposite sides of the building, that for the 
girls being on the south, near the front, ;ind that for the boys on the north, near 
the rear. From these entrances the schcil.irs pa^-s directly either into the base- 
ment or up to the first floor. 

All classrooms and corridors on the lirst, second and third llcmrs have a 
wainscot of glazed brick six feet high, the junction between it and the jdaster 
above being covered by a wood moulding in the corridors, and liy ;i ])icture shelf 
and moulding in the classrooms. The exterior is faced with re<l ])allet brick. 

In iQofi an addition containing seven classrooms, a kindergarten, and an 
assembly hall were added to the Webster School. 

In IQ07 the superintendent records the increase in school pupulation ;is fol- 
lows : 

"The cnmplete and corrected returns from the census enumerators show that 
the mniilier of children of school age in this city is 17,781, which is a gain of 
031 over the census of 1906. This g.ain is f.ir in excess of that of previous years 
and means that in the near future, if we are to properly accommodate our grow- 
ing school population, it will be necessary to build, every school year, one 
iS.to 20-room school building. The central district. Croft, \\'elton and Clay 
Street schools, shows an increase of 580: the northwestern district, Driggs, 
Bishop Street and Lincoln schools, an increase of 333; the Washington Hill dis- 
trict, Washington, IMulcahy and ATerriman schools, an increase of 102; West Side 
Hill, Russell School, an increase of (1(1; the Brooklyn district, Duggan, Porter 
Street and Barnard schools, and the northern district. Webster and Walsh, show 
smaller increases; and the eastern section, Hendricken and Hamilton, remains 
practically stationary. The enormous increase of 580 in the heart of the city 
certainly means that within a few years it will be necessary to carry out the 
original plans of the Croft School by removing the old building and erecting an 
addition of 20 to 24 rooms to the present new structure. One only needs to walk 
a comparatively short distance on the streets near the center to note the number 
of large tenement blocks that are being erected on every side, and this is likely 
to continue for several years, producing in the center of the city a school popula- 
tion very much greater than at present. The city is very fortunate in having 
sufficient land in the rear of the new Margaret Croft School on which to erect an 
addition which will accommodate this increased number of children. Among the 
district schools. Bunker Hill, Sprague and Town Plot show the largest increases." 

During this year a ten-room addition to the Driggs School was opened, as well 
as six- and eight-room additions at the Duggan and Webster schools, respectively. 

In irpQ the conditions at the Crosby High School were such that half sessions 
became necessary. In 1908 the assembly room had been given over to classes, but 
this failed to help out as the attendance for 1009 reached yf<o. a further gain of 
forty over the previous year. 



68 W ATEKI'.LKV AXI) THE XAUGATUCK NALLEV 

It was still necessary to shift about and provide for overflows in various sec- 
tions. The total attendance for this year, 11,119, showed a gain of over live 
hundred. 

Eor lyio, the attendance was 11,503, a further gain over the previous year, 
the High School gaining fifty-two. In this year the High School classes were 
divided, 305 jjupils attending the afternoon sessions and 507 the morning sessions. 
However, the board had acted and plans for a new school were drawm. Unfor- 
tunately the financial conditions were such as to prevent an immediate sale of 
the bonds. 

In this year the evening schools led the entire state in attendance, the registra- 
tion reaching nearly a thousand. 

This year saw the opening of its first community playground. The first report 
of Joseph A. C'olloty, supervisor of physical training in the public schools, con- 
tains the following: 

"If jntblic opinion that has been gathered from all sources may be used as a 
judge, the eight w'eeks' session of playgrounds, just completed at Hamilton Park, 
has been one of the most successful movements undertaken. It was instituted by 
the Hoard of Education and jilans carried out by the Board of Public Works. 

".\ boys' baseball league was organized for boys under fifteen years of age. 
Forty league games were played, with an average of two hundred and fifty root- 
ers each day, and they were rooters, giving that number of boys something to do 
beside playing in the streets or up to some mischief or other. 

".Swearing, smoking and lighting were absolutely prohibited ; the rules were 
kept in good shape : not a fight occurred during the series, and the absence of 
swearing was commented on by every adult who witnessed the games. 

"The tennis courts proved a big success, being engaged from as early as 9 
.•\. M. until dark. We had two double courts and six would not have been too 
many. Over seventy-five boys, one hundred adults and twenty-two young ladies 
and girls were instructed in the game and had the use of the courts. The spec- 
tators numbered as high as one hundred a day; an average was not kept." 

In 1908 the school census showed the beginning of a notable shifting of popu- 
lation. In the number of children at school, there w-as an increase of 275 and in 
enumeration a decrease of 536. Washington Hill, comprising the Washington, 
Mulcahy and Merriman schools, showed a decrease of 113. In the Brooklyn dis- 
trict, the Duggan and P>arnard schools showed a decrease of 342. while the Porter 
showed an increase of 192, making the net decrease in Brooklyn 150. In the 
northern section of the city the Webster and Walsh schools gave an increase of 
1 1 1 and in the northwestern section the Driggs and Bishop Street schools an 
increase of 417. 

The total number of children in attendance this year w-as 10,093. 
In 1910 large additions to both the Russell and Merriman schools were begun. 
The Merriman school w'ork covered by the contract consisted of a new wing con- 
taining five class rooms, a kindergarten, wood-w-orking room, and cooking room ; 
this new wing being a duplicate of the front part of the present building. The 
new and old buildings are connected by a wide corridor ; the space between build- 
ings forming a court in which is placed the new main entrance. 

The addition to the Russell School contains on the first floor two class rooms, 
a kindergarten room and a large teacher's room or office. The basement has a 
cooking school room and a manual training room, all well lighted, heated and ven- 
tilated. 

In his report for 191 1. the superintendent thus briefly describes conditions: 



^\■ATl■;Rl■.l•R^■ wd riii'; xalcatlck \ alli-a' 69 

"The corrected scIuhjI census returns show that the numlicr (if ^cliodl chihhen 
in llie cit\- is ^0,347. a j^ain (if i..^'' which is Cdusideralily larger llian any (hnini; 
tiic past fifteen \ears. The luuuher (if children actually in attendance in the public 
schools is i.v'i^^.v a s^'aiii of i.nKi: in the priwite and jiarochial schools. 4.500. d'he 
returns show that the l'.i-(i(ikl\ii district remains about stationary: the district 
which includes the center of the city ijives a s;ain of (128; the north end section, a 
.i,'ain of 40('^ ; Washiii,^ton Hill, a ,u:ain of 57. • )f the district schools. IC.ast Farms 
.and l'".ast Mountain show the larsjest relali\e L;ain. 40 in all; no]ieville. Mill I'lain, 
I'ark Ro.id and \\'ater\ ille. about the same. 13 each: and Town I'lot. .pv In this 
connection it is interestint^' to recall that the city will recei\ e from the state this 
year, and from the Leavenworth finid for the expenses of our schools, :in .amount 
in e.xccss of S55.000, a rather tidy sum. The t(it:il number of children allendint; 
the public scIkjoIs is ij.lji). a .L;;iin of (1,^5 as couip.ared with the .attenduice Last 
year. The gjain this year is abnormal to the extent of at least twn hundred pu|iils." 

The total re.gistration at e\enini; schools for i(iii was i._'S4. 

In commenting on the new play.ground moxement. the superintendent says: 

"I think it is generallv C(incede(l ih.at playgrounds ha\(' come lo sta\- in W'ater- 
btiry. During the past \car the Mo:ird of k'.ducation co-(.iper,ited with the r.o:ir(l of 
Public Works, as in njio, and paid pan of the exjienses of the playground ;it 
Hamilton Park. In this connection it is iileas.ant to note that the lioiird of I'nblic 
Work.s opened several other ]ilaygroun(ls iu ditTerent sections of the city where 
they .seemed to be specially needed, and also, th;il the .\ssociated t/h.arities had a 
large playground in the center of the cil\, on .'-Miuth Main ."-Street. IAer\' move 
made in this direction is iiraiseworthy and should receive the heart\- co-o])cr;ilion 
of the public." 

In KM I the crowded condition ;it the ( rosby High .'School was to some extent 
relieved b\- an addition to the rear of the buildini.;. I'his w.as three stories high, 
,p feet li\- i)ii feet, and ga\e six addition.d school rooms, a girls' toilet room and 
stonige and stock r(_i(jms in the basement, .a sujierintendent's office and ,1 priiicip.al's 
office, with waiting room, and secret.iry's room .and toilet room for each, :i ph\sic:d 
lecture room and a physic:d laboratory, a chemical labor.atory, and two bot:inical 
biboratories having lieen ]iro\ide(l in the old part. 

in Kjl 1 the expenditures for new buildings :ind furniture ,imounte(l to ."si .^■^,845. 
I )f this sum $(Si.ooo was expended on the L' rosby High .'School. .'^jX,7(-)(t on the 
Merriiu.an School, and $i(S.(;j45 "•'' l^'"'?"^ .School. 

In 1912 the enumeration was 20.(1,^3. a gain of 58(1: the number of children in 
the public schools was 14,1 17, in the parochial schools, _^,SN'<i. In the I ligh School 
the attendance was 0.^3, a further g.iiu of Sj or J55 more ]iupils than could be 
accommodated at single sessions. The e\ening school attendance for kiij was 
1,420. 

.Superintendent 'finkcr thus sumin;irizes the school accommodaliou |ir(ililem in 
his report for Kii 2 : 

"The growth in the number of school children has been much greater between 
the vears \C)o8 and I()i2 than between i()02 and njoS; yet the total amomit a|i|iro- 
]jriated for new grammar scho(ils during the ]ieriod of rajiid growth was onl>- 
$171,900, an average of $2.'^, 700 per \ear, while in the period of slower growth 
the amount of money apjiropriated for the same purpose was 82(11,814, or an 
average of $43,h35 per vear. This shows most conclusivelv that in new construc- 
tion we have been falling behind during the past six years from $15,000 to $25,000 
each year, and there is little likelihood of our catching up unless future appropria- 
tions for new construction are largely increased. To state it in another w.ty. dur- 
ing the last eidit vears the increase in school attendance has been 2, '150: the num- 



70 w Ari-:Ri;L'RV axd tiii: xal'gatuck \ai.i.ey 

bcr of rooms opened 35, which, witli an average accommodation of 45, would seat 
1,575 pupils, leaving over one thousand pupils for whom no new accommodations 
have been provided." 

In 1912 the first report was made on the ages of grammar school graduates, and 
the luunber of years required bj' them to complete the grammar school course. 
For nine years a card system had been kept. These cards, which are still kept, 
contain a complete school record of each pupil, giving his name, date of birth, 
birthplace, parents' name, address, and for each year, the school attended, his 
grade and rank ; in addition, the card also contains a great many facts about the 
general health of the student, his eyesight, hearing, contagious diseases, etc. 

In his report for 1912, the superintendent says: 

"There were 400 graduates, of whom 2 completed the course in six years; 7, 
or I '4 per cent, in seven years; 66, or i6'/^-per cent, in eight years; 234, or 58^ 
per cent, came through on schedule time, nine years: 74, or iSyj per cent, in ten 
years; 15, or 31:4 per cent, in eleven years, and 2 pupils in twelve years. Eight, 
or 2 ])cr cent, were twelve years of age; 43, or iO;>; per cent, were thirteen years; 
109, or 27'4 per cent, were fourteen years; 139, or 34'/^ per cent, were fifteen 
years; 76, or 19 per cent, were sixteen years, and 2^. or 6' ( per cent, were seven- 
teen years of age." 

In IQ12 the four-room Hill Street School was built, at a cost of $23,Ofxx 

In 1913 the school enumeration was 23.171, a gain of 2,238. Of this number, 
15.527 were in the public schools and 4,362 in jirivate schools. The Washington 
Hill gain was 665, the Center gain 407, the Xorth End gain 345, Rrooklyn 274, 
the western section 103, and a small gain in all the districts. The number of 
pupils attending half sessions in 11)13 was 1.327. The evening school attendance 
was 1,385. 

The city was now thoroughly awake to the need of new schools. The .Slocimi 
School, twelve rooms, was promised to the Xorth End for 1914. This did away 
with half sessions in both the Webster and Walsh schools. An eight-room addi- 
tion to the Clay School and a similar addition to the Washington .School were well 
under way. 

The Slocuin School plans called for a twenty-four-room building, of which 
twelve were to be completed in the future. The architects of this fine semi-fire- 
proof structure were Freney & Jackson. It is considered one of the best of the 
city's schools. 

On December 2^. it)X2. the Sprague Schor)l was visited by a destructive fire 
which left i)ractically nothing standing but the brick walls. Plans were at once 
l)rej>ared to rebuild on the same lines as the old except that the committee decided 
to place the heating plant in a separate building at the rear of the school. Con- 
tracts were let in February and the work was pushed with such speed that the 
building was completed and available for school use in 1913. No changes were 
made in the exterior design of the school. The old assembly hall was divided 
uy) which gave two more class rooms, so that the building contains one kinder- 
garten, fifteen class rooms, two offices, two toilet rooms, recitation and supply 
rooms and a library. Each floor also has roomy corridors in which are placed 
the wardrobes for the use of the pupils. The wardrobes are of iron. The entire 
basement was given up to boys' and girls' play rooms. Several fire protective 
features were installed, chief of which were the fire walls. These extend from 
basement to roof and serve to confine a possible fire within the wing in which it 
may start. These walls arc of heavy brick, and the openings in the walls in the 
difTcrent stories arc protected by fire doors which are automatically closed by 
the melting of a fuse at a certain temi^erafure. 



WATKRIIL-RY AND Till'. .\AL"( iATUCK \ AI.I.bA' 71 

fLxlra prdiiKjtiiins had l>cc-ii Ix-gun in ii)i2, and in lijl,^ it was decided to give 
461 pupils an opimrtunity to do two years' work in one. ( )nly those who stood 
higliest and were ])hysically strong were selected. This was a new de\ice to over- 
come the school congestion, and resulted in shortening the granmiar course hy 
one year for these ad\anced pupils. In 11)14 the dnuMe promotions nunihercd 
401, 

The school enunier.ition for 11)14 again rcHtcteil local economic conditions. 
The figure was 2l.()Xi, a loss of i,4')<>. The |)ulilic school attendance for the year 
was 14..SS0; ]iri\ate school attendance. 4, -'55. The losses were as follows: Alerri- 
nian, 5 ; Mulcahy. i)0 : Croft, _'Si ; \\'el)ster. l_'i) : I'. i shop, h_>4 ; I'orter, 1 i(j ; 1 'riggs 
and Lincoln, 304; Hamilton, 151); Ilendrickeii, jy>- \\aler\ille, 54. .\11 others 
showed small gains. The attendance ;it the exening schools w;is i,5J>i. 

( )f the comlitions ,it the I'roshy High ."School, the snperintendent says: 

"The situation in the high school is such tli.at it is \ery douhtful if it will he 
possible to house tlie pupils next \car, e\en in two sessions :mil :i third session 
is absolutely out of the ([uestion. I'wehe hundred and twenty pupils are now in 
attendance, which is ne:irl\' twice the full i:ip.-uity of the school, h'ortun.ately uj) 
to the present )ear the two dixisions Ikuc been somewhat e<|u.ill\ dixided and 
the selection of courses of stmh b\- the pupils h;is bcLii such that it was possible 
to accommodate e\eryone. but during the present year their h:is been ,a sort of a 
realigmnent on the part of the pupils with the result that a largi- numbi-r td" i>upi!s 
can not take the studies that are called for in their courses for the reason that it 
is absolutely impossible to organizi' additional classes. The laboratory facilities 
are iiro\ing to be inadenuate and the commercial ]ir.ictice rooms c-ntirely too 
small." 

In li)i4 the Slocum .School was (jpeiied and filled to c:ipacity. .Additions to 
the Maloney and \\';Lshington schools were begun. The .Mulcahy, which was |iar- 
tiallv destro\ed b\ lire in 11)14, .ami the old ( roft School building, which was 
also hea\'ilv dani:iged b\' llanies, were both thoroughly repaired, and ready for 
occupancy in oji.S- After these tires sprinkler systems were ]il;iced in all new 
schools and in the old ones as rapidly as funds would permit. 

In January, 11)14, the Board of Education decided to make the superintendent 
of schools the executi\-e head of the entire school department and to hold hini 
wholly responsible for all of its activities. The superintendent up to that time had 
charge of the purely educational work ; the physical ])lant being in charge of the 
Committee on Schoolhouses and the inspector of school buildings. Under the new- 
arrangement, the superinteiKlent W'as also luade resiionsil.ile for the condition of 
the physical jilant. 

In 11)14 pl''uis were adopted fin- the new l_'lark School on .Sco\ ill .Street, adjoin- 
ing the Croft School. It is a fourteen-room building, comiilete with wood- 
working and cijoking departments, gymnasium, swimming pool, boys' and girls' 
lockers, shower and dressing room. This building is a model in every respect 
as to its construction and hiiisb, and the entire range of modern schoolhouse work 
in this country was searched to proilnce a building which would be of most thor- 
ough and at the same time most economical fireproof construction. The w'alls 
of the building are of brick, the e.xterior facing l)eing of selected brick trimmed 
with a small aiuount of Indiana limestone in keeping with the Croft School. 

The Sprague School g\ninasium, which w:is begun in (Jclober, 1014, was 
ready for occupancy I'^ebrurn-y, 11)13. The ;iuditorium in this seats 51X). 

In 11)15 the enumeration w .'is jj.viO. .-i gain of 7111) o\ er 11)14. I'lc' largest 
gains were as follows: Washington District. iSo; Duggan, inij; Mulcahy, 10,^; 
Ilendricken, tot : Rarnard and Malonev, 81 each; Croft, 30: I'orter, 4S ; Lincoln, 



72 \\AT1;K1".L-RY AXl) THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

43; Walsh, 38; Driggs, 30; Merriman showed a loss of 76; Russell, of 69; and 
Wehstcr, of ig8. Town Plot showed a gain of 162; Bucks Hill, 27; Ilopeville, 
20: luist Mountain, 15; Mill Plain, 13; East Farms, 7. The losses in Waterville 
were 34, and in Bunker Ilill, 17. The reports of the attendance for September, 
191 5, show a total number of 13,959 pupils, a gain of 611. There was a loss in 
attendance of 98 at the Driggs and Lincoln schools, due to the opening of the 
new St. Margaret's Parochial School. The attendance ;it the evening schools 
was i.Cijg, the largest in the history of the city up to that time. 

In 191 5 a decided advance was made in the jilanning and construction of new 
schools. Of these the most important enterjirises were the ])lanning of the 
new Wilby Lligh School and the opening of the Clark School on which in 
1915 $100,667.94 was expended. The total c.xi)cnditures in 1915 for buildings, 
additions and furniture w^as $128,214.93, in 1914 it was $129,133, of which 
$42,930 was s])cnt in the new high school ad<lition and $58,(;74 on the Maloncy 
School. 

The work on additions and alterations of the Hendricken School was com- 
menced in October, 1915, and finished in March, 1916. In the basement the 
following new rooms were added : Cooking room, boiler room, woodworking 
room, girls' and boys' sanitarics, store room and new exit. On the first floor 
were added a kindergarten, teachers' room, kindergarten and teachers' toilets, 
store room and exit. On the second floor were added a class room, principal's 
room and library and toilet. 

The school department in 1915 had four new gymnasiums and one ui)-to-date 
.swimming pool. The j)ool and one new gynuiasium arc located at the Clark 
School, one at Washington, one at Maloney and one at the Sprague School. 
They are all well lighted, heated, and ventilated. 

Plans were also a]j])roved for the eight-room Mattatuck School at the corner 
of Seymour and Russell streets and for the long-contemplated nine-room Lincoln 
School, to replace the old Lincoln School on Sperry Street. 

The returns of the school enumeration for 1916 showed 24.001 children of 
school age, a gain of 1,611. as compared with 191 5. The total number at school 
was 21,063. a gain of 1,000; total number in private schools, 4.996, a gain of 
521 ; a total number em]3loyed between fourteen and sixteen years of age was 
548, a gain of 98. The attendance at evening schools for 1916 was 2,177, ^ gain 
of practically 5CX). 

']"he Begnal .School, corner .Scyniour and Russell streets, containing eight 
class rooms and a kindergarten, was opened in 191 7. 

rilK XICW VOCATIOXAI. .\N"n C.R.AMMAR SCIKIOL 

The new vocational and grammar school building which is now being con- 
structed on the lot adjoining the Crosby High School will have a frontage of 
133 feet on East Main Street, 153 feet on North Elm Street, and 133 feet on 
Water .Street. 

'i"he exterior will be built of buff pressed brick trimmed with granite and 
limestone to match uj) the jiresent building and it will conform to the present 
building in design. 

The ])itchcd slate-covered roof of the ])resent building will be entirely 
removed and the new roof of the present building and the roof of the new 
building will have a ])raclically flat surface finished in \itrificd tile for play- 
ground use. 

There will be one entrance to the new building from I'.ast Main and two 



WATERi'.L'RV AX!) TIIM X.Vfi 1 ATL'CK \ ALLEY 73 

from North Elm strcL'ts. 'llu- fiilrancc from Water Street to the liasenieiit <if 
the ]ireseiit builihiiL; may he alsn i\<v>\ fnr exit ami entrance to the new. 

The floors and roofs are tn he "f reinforced concrete construction; the 
staircases, of which there will l)e two, will extend from the suh-hasemenl to the 
roof. These are to he of structural iron construction with selected hlne stone 
treads and i)latforms. and they will he enclosed within hrick walls. The stair- 
case halls will he closed off fiDUi the corridors at each floor with metal hreproof 
doors, transoms and partitions L;l.ized with wired i;l;:ss. 

A direct-connectecl electric comhination ]i:issen_<,'er .and freight elevator wdl 
I)e installed to travel from the hoiler room floor to the third floor. 

The hoiler room and the heatin- .ipparatus room will he helow tlie Water 
Street level. The hoiler room will . ont.ain the filter and pnm|i rooms, coal 
bunker and ash hin. There will he live floors aho\e the hoiler room, the suh- 
basement, basement and first, second ;md third floors. The suhdi.isenient will 
contain a gymnasium 42 feet S inches hy (>J, feel, with two i^alleries ;dio\e on the 
basement floor level, the hoys' and .iLjirls' locker and shower moms, dryin^j rooms, 
lounging spaces, director's room, a swimming ]iool 23 feet wide li\- >»> teet long 
with a spectators' gallery IJ feel hy 711 feet at one side of the ])ool. The sub- 
basement will also furnish room for the foundry and ]ilumhing shoj), a stock 
and saw room and four store rooms. 

The gymnasium and locker rooms will he lined full heij^ht with glazed hrick; 
the shower and drying rooms .and ,ill walls enclosing die pool will he laci-d with 
white enameled brick, ddie jiool. all floor spaces around ihe pool and (he flotjrs 
of the shower rooms will he laid with tile. 

The basement will cont.iin three machine shops and a forge shop. The first, 
second and third floors will contain twenty-nine cl.ass rooms :uiil on each flcKU' 
there will lie toilet rooms. 

All class rooms will ha\e glazed hrick wainscot, maple floors, ash trim and 
hiackhoards. The corridors will h.ive composition floors on concrete and glazed 
brick wainscot. 

All class rooms on the inside of the huihling open to a light court 35 feet hy 
6g feet. 

h'ire stand]iipes will he carried up through the building to ihe roof at 
several places and these will he e([nip]ied with hose .and hose r.acks Suilal)Ie 
i)ipcs and fixtures will be carried to the outside w.alls of the building, which will 
permit the fire department to connect iheir app;iratus and increase the water 
pressure on the interior of the building. Sprinklers will he inst.alled in the 
suh-ba.sement, liasement and cdsewlu-re in the building where ccimbuslihles ni;iy 
be stored. 

The new building will he ciinnected with the Crosliy High School at the 
basement, first, second and third floors hv means of ample corridors. 'I'o oht.iin 
the room for these corridors se\er;il changes are to be made on the several floors 
of the Crosby School. .Among these will be the shortening of the boys' lunch 
room in the basement, the clising up of the west entrance to the b.asement, the 
closing up of the side entrance to oliices on the first floor, adding ;i new vault 
for the use of the school clerk, a new w.aiting room, new offices f(n- the girl 
clerks, the secretary and the superintendent, and using ]iart of the women 
teachers' room on the first floor. ( )n die second floor part of the recitation rooms 
and the spaces used for ]iliysic;il .and chemical stores are to be used for cor- 
ridors and the necessary additions and alterations .are made to provide for store 
rooms. ( )n the third floor minor alterations onl\' will he necessary to accommo- 
date the connecting corridors. 



74 \V.\TF.R1;L"RY and Til]': XALCATUCK XAl.LEY 

Jn the near future it is the intention to use both the present and new build- 
ings for a vocational school and the new building has been planned so that it 
may be adapted to that use at a minimum cost. When used for a vocational 
school the following rooms will be contained in the first, second and third floors: 
cabinet work, pattern shop, wood turning, electric wiring and testing, printing 
and bookbinding, ])ainting and decorating, mechanical drawing, design and draw- 
ing, elementary mechanical drawing, sewing, dressmaking, millinery, nursing, 
elementary cooking, advanced cooking, laundry, sheet metal, general science, 
women teachers, jjrincipal's office, waiting room, department office and a small 
apartment containing a dining room, a living room, bath and bed room. 

V.M.fl-: OK SCIIOdL I'ROI'l-IUT'i' I (J I 6 

This is the record from the annual report for ii)i6. The additional value in 
schools opened and under construction in 1917 will bring the total valuation to 
nearly four million dollars. This allows approximately a million for the new 
Wilby High School on Pine Street which is to be opened in 191 7 and the voca- 
tional school adjoining the Crosby which when completed will have cost approxi- 
mately eight hundred thousand dollars. 

Important changes in the schools in igi/ were the apj)ointmcnt of M. C. 
Donovan as jjrincipal of the Crosby High School, succeeding Stephen VV. Wilby, 
who died March 30, 1917. Jose])h V. Kennedy was made principal of the Wilby 
High School, which opened its doors September i, 1917. 

1^'or 191 7 the board is expending $fio,ooo for gymnasium and pool in Brook- 
lyn. This is to be ready in 1918. The new thirteen-room school in the ?[opeville 
District, which is to contain a pool and gymnasium, will also be ready for 
occupancy in 1918. The total cost of this is now ])laced at $100,000. 

The expenditures for new buildings and additions, including furnishings, in 
W'aterbury schools since 1895 ha\e been as follows: 

1895 $ 32,963.68 1906 49,000.00 

1896 76.441.32 1907 52,100.00 

1897 27,793.26 if)oS 2.900.00 

1898 32,445.79 1909 38,768.03 

1899 io8,3fjo.o4 1910 44,000.00 

1900 20.444.29 1911 138.845.00 

i<X)i 4o,(Kj8.75 191 2 23,647.67 

1902 49,884.00 1913 64,362.00 

1903 36,500.00 ic;i4 129,133.00 

1904 .^4.523-5 1 1915 126,214,93 

1905 39,806.70 1916 104.051.52 

Total including lots, 
building, books, 
School No. of rooms furniture, etc. 

Crosby High 35 $266,240 

Barnard 12 43.6 10 

Bisho]j 12 43,068 

Clark 14 101,787 

Croft 12-20 120,526 

Driggs 24 1 14.342 

Duggan 20 96,356 




ST. mai;i..\i;ki s ^( ikkh. w \ i i- lt.i |;^ 




\\ lAl .i|.' \()| |;| |.,\\M., W AlKlir.lin 



WATERIJL'RV AXl) Till-; XAUGATUCK \"ALL1'A' 

Tdlal includini; \n{< 
Iiuildin^, lidoks. 
ScliLiiil Xo. of rooms furniture, etc. 

Hamilton 4 $12.(11)5 

Hendrickcn 10 ''3..U''^ 

Lincoln 1^ jS.Sjj 

Maloney 16 ')\.7^i 

Mary Abbott 4 jS.Sjj 

Merriman 16 SS,(ii)4 

Mill Plain 4 -M.')'"^.^ 

Mulcahy 12 50. 1 S4 

Porter S ,^ i ,'i'i' ' 

Russell 12 7^-7 ^'^ 

Slocum 12 '^,^7,^7 

Sprague 16 <« 1.422 

Town Plot 1^ .vv^^--' 

Walsh JS i''5-7''4 

Washington iX 5i),(i')0 

Webster 20 XS,^;/) 

Welton 6 21 .S(.,S 

Stock Room 2.,S<X2 

Mattatuck Site 10.000 

Pine Street .Site loX.ooo 

P.egnal Site 17,000 

Columbia Site 20,oiX) 

Totals 34S 

r,uck> Hill 

Hunker Hill 8 

Chapel f) 

East Farms I 

East Mountain 2 

Hopeville 4 

Newton Heights i 

Oronoke I 

Park Road 4 

Reid\ ille 4 

Totals 33 $122,462 



Si.()()S.i(j(i 




PKE.SENT .'iCIIHOL ACTIXTTIES 

To give a clear idea of the extension of educational work in Waterburv, the 
following extracts from the njifj report are given: 

"In addition to the regular school work the teachers and pupils have engaged 
in a large number of special activities much wider in scope than the exhibits of 
regular school work. Nearly every building had, this year, a special exhibition 
of gymnastic work of imusuai merit. Two schools presented entertainments 
of an unusual nature, both of which had large educational values. The Huggan 
School gave an exhibition of living pictures which was greatly enjoyed and 
favorably commented on by more than a thousand parents and friends, and the 



76 WATJCRIirm- AXI) Till". XAUliATUCK \AL1.EY 

Walsh School presented a pageant illustrating the history of W'aterhnry, many 
scenes of whieh were acted out in a truly marvelous manner. 

o\'ER-AC]': cxASsr.s 

"A new over-age class has been opened in the Duggan building for the 
accommodation of such pupils in the Porter, Duggan, Barnard and Town Plot 
scliools. Rejiorls from all three special classes continue to show the great use- 
fulness of this work, and it is ])lanncd to 0]X'n other simil;ir classes in another 
year. 

DOMESTIC SCIKXCK 

'T)uring the last year the Ilendricken and Russell schools have been equipped 
with kitchens, making a total of ten, which necessitated the api)ointment of a new 
teacher. Classes from St. Thomas' Parochial School are being accommodated 
at Webster .School, and special classes of backward children have been arranged 
for in nearly every school. Laundry equipment is being installed in most* of 
the kitchens and lessons in this work have already been given to some extent. 
New meat charts have been i^rocurcd for four kitchens. We are revising the 
course of study, giving special attention to practical and economical methods on 
account of the present unnatural increase in the cost of food suj^plies." 

WdiiDwiiRKi \i; ( LASsi:s 

In the woodworking departments the rejiort shows 15 classes in the Margaret 
Croft School, averaging 17 each; in the Driggs School there are 12 classes; in 
the T,incoln School, 3; in the Uuggan, 2: in the Walsh, 2; in the Sprague, 5; 
Webster, 7; Mary .Abbott and .'^t. Thomas Parochial. 6; \\"ashington and Mul- 
cahy, 5 ; Russell, 4 ; Merriman, 4 ; 1 lendricken, Mill Plain and Hamilton .A\ enue, 7. 

TIIK CONTI.\U.\TIO.\ SCHOOL 

One of the most iniportant advances made in Waterbury was un(|uestionabl\- 
the establishment in .\o\embcr, 1912, of the Continuation School. 

There were seven manufacturing concerns who desired to send a total of 
210 apprentices. As the capacity of the school had been set at 180 students and 
more factories made a])plication to enter apprentices, the school board was com- 
pelled to increase the accommodations. The school opened for its second year 
Sejjtember, 1013, with 20 manufacturers sending a total of 250 a])prentices. 
In 1917 the classes number 200. 

The following is the curriculum: 

First Year 

Shoj) .\rithnictic. — The four fundamental operations. Fractions, decimals. 
percentage, ratio and ])roportion. English and metric units of length, area, 
volume and weight. S(iuare root. Mensuration. Practical examples. 

Reports and discussions, from articles in trade papers. Oral reports and 
discussions to encourage public speaking and debating. Written reports to give 
training in spelling, writing and composition. 

Shop Talks. — The opportunities in the machine industry. The requirements 
of a first-class machinist. .\ brief descri])tion of machines used by the machinist. 



W'ATlCKi'.rin- A\li llll-: XAl'nATL'CK \ ALLEY 77 

Chi>cL ami clii>rliiit; i)|ienitiiiiis ; I'llc^ anil filiiiL; ; hand tuuls; small touls. A 
stU(l\- of ihc niatcriaU nf cnn^tiau'iidn. 

llistiir\ and ( i\ic--, — Slud\^ nf llu- hi>l(iry. L;rn\\th and ynxernnKnt of Watcr- 
liurv. The develupniciit of llu' \arious industries of W'alcrhury. 

I'crsonal Hygiene. — (iood habits for the wurker. hygiene of the w (irkrooni ; 
fatigue: occupational dangers; llrst aid to the injured; luberculosi-. etc. 

Drawing. — Free-hand sketching. I'~ree-hand ilr:i\\ing on cross-section paper 
of tools ;uid machine parts. Simple projection. 

Sctoinl )\-ar 

Shop ALithematio. — Solution of an e(|nation. I'ormulas in power, s])eeds, and 
feeds of simple machines. Theory of exponents. Logarithms, powers and roots. 
The slide rule. Solution of the right angle triangle. 

I\ei)i>rt~ and di>cti--sions on topics assigneil from the geographical relation of 
iron and lirass; their foumling .and m;unif,icture. Written and oral descriptions 
of tools, ])arts of machines and machitie operations. 

Shop Talks. — A stucly of the f(j!lowing: Drilling niachines, lathe planer, 
shaper, milling machine, boring mills and grinding machines. Selection of grind- 
nig wheels, (iears and methods of cutting. The art of cutting metals. 

Civics. — Government of Connecticut. (, dmieclicut's position in the manuf:ic- 
turing world. 

Character Studv. — .\ study of the lives and contributions of the n.aliou's noted 
inxentors and the inllueiice of their inventions upon the progress of m:niulactm-es 
C'f the country. 

Mechanical Dr.iwing. — Sim])le and obliipie projections. Free-hand isometric 
drawing. 

Tliiiii ami I'liiirtli ]'i-ars 

Practical Mathematics. — Solution of di;igr,ams. Practical problems. 

Re])orts and discussions, from trade journals. 

Shop Talks. — Layout and assembly oi)erations. Care of helling. Lubricating 
oils and cutting solutions. Manufacturing talks. Heat treatment of steel. Tool 
making. Cam cutting. 

Civics. — The national govermnent. Duties of citizenship. 

Mechanical Drawing. — Sketches of machine parts and drawing from same. 
Lsometric drawing. 

.■\pplied Mathematics. — .\[iiilied problems and review. 

Reports and discussions, from trade journals. 

Shop Talks. — A studv of turret lathes, automatic machines and their tools. 
Forge, foundrv and pattern work. Power transmission. A brief talk on the i)ur- 
pose and development of scientific methods as applied to shop work. 

]\[echanics. — Laws of gases, liquids and solids, A study of heat and its prac- 
tical application. Elementary electricity and the principles of electric machines, etc. 

Strength of Materials. — Strength of machine parts, tools, etc. 

Drawing, link motions, cam layouts. Solution of problems by graphics. 

The fifth year of Continuation School work started September, U)\C\ with 215 
apprentices enrolled, twenty-three factories sending apprentices. 

The first graduating class of seven ajiprentices received diplomas in June. HjK'i. 
and at the same time certificates were awariled to ninety-six apprentices for satis- 



78 WATERBURY AX I) THE NAUGATUCK \'ALLEY 

factorily completing their studies while attending the Continuation School. Dur- 
ing this year a course for automatic screw machine operators was introduced. 

The work of the Continuation School has attracted attention throughout the 
country. 

THE SALESM.ANSIIIP SCHOOL 

The Salesmanship School, which was conducted in 191 5 and 19 16, has been 
temporarily suspended for 191". Conditions in the city this year and last year are 
and have been very unfavorable to the work in that a shortage of help in the stores 
makes it difficult to spare any to attend the school. In spite of this, the merchants 
have shown a much greater interest and desire to avail themselves of the oppor- 
tunity of increasing the efficiency of their store forces, as is shown by the fact 
that the enrollment in 1916 was more than fifty. Because of this need for more 
help in the stores, an entirely new plan had been worked out with much success. 
Classes were held in two of the stores, instead of at the school, taking the time of 
the teacher rather than that of the saleswomen in going back and forth. Thus in 
the Grant and Hutchinson 25-Cent Stores all the saleswomen attended the classes, 
half coming at one time, half at another. There was less individual work, but 
much greater enthusiasm and more ground covered. A class from the Reid & 
Hughes Dry Goods Co., and from Grieve, Bisset and Holland, attended the school. 
The work will be resumed as economic conditions permit. 

THE OPEN ,\IR SCHOOI, 

louring the spring of 191 2 several prominent ladies of Waterbury established 
an Open Air School for Tuberculous Children which was at first conducted at no 
expense whatever to the Department of Education. It was first located in a re- 
constructed building in the rear of the Industrial School, on Central Avenue. The 
method of operation was unique. The children were given three meals a day, 
which at the oiitset were served in a dining room in the basement of the Industrial 
School Building. They were served with good nourishing food, plenty of milk, 
bread and butter, vegetables, good soups, cooked fruits and such. The meals cost 
from 17 to i<S cents a day per child. 

.\fter dinner the children lie down for an hour before the afternoon session, 
on cots which are in the school room. They are weighed once a week. "Sitting 
out" bags are provided for the use of the children in the cold weather, also warm 
ca])s and gloves. 

In October of 1915 the Open Air School was transferred to the Clark School 
and placed under the entire control of the Board of Education. In this building 
two large rooms are used for class room and rest purposes, both equipped with 
the very latest devices. In the basement a large room has been fitted up as a 
kitchen and dining room with neat, serviceable and.modern equipinent. The pupils 
in this school also have the opportunity of using the roof playground and, taken 
altogether, the arrangements for the Open Air School are as complete as will be 
found in any similar school in this country. 

The B.oard of Health, through the school physicians and nurses, is actively 
co-operating in its management, and the Waterburj' Dental Association is taking 
care of the children's teeth. As .soon as funds are available and there is need, it 
is planned to open a similar school or schools in other sections of the city. 



\vaterl;l'R\' and TIIK XAL'GATUCK \ALLEV 79 

ILMl'LOVMENT OF CHILDREN 

In 1914 an important investis^'ation was begun on cniplo^'ment of children. In 
his report for that year, the superintendent has this to say liy way of comparing 
VVaterbury with other Connecticut cities : 

"Some interesting figures have just been pubHshed by the State lloarti of E(hi- 
cation relative to the employment of children between the ages of fourteen and 
sixteen years that I think will prove to be of interest to you. The charge is some- 
times brought against the schools that we are unable to hold any appreciable per 
cent of children betw-een fourteen and sixteen ; that large numbers of them go to 
work. Now this may be and may not be true. \\'hate\er the facts of the case 
may be, the figures from the .State Department show that, as com]iared with New 
Haven and Bridgeport, the per cent of fourteen and sixteen-year-olds tliat we hold 
in the schools is twice as great as theirs, and, as compared with all the cities of 
the state, we are head and shoulders aliove any. For example, in Xew Haven 
there is one certificated child to every twenty-two between fourteen .ind sixteen 
years of age; in Bridgeport twenty-four and Hartford thirty-one. ;uul in X'ew 
fjritain, our nearest competitor, thirty-seven, while Waterbury h:is only one 
certiiicated child of school age out of every fifty pupils between fourteen and 
sixteen years of age." 

FOREn;N-l!()U.N I'oiniL.VTION 

"In the entire city, nearly one-half, or 50 per cent, of the pupils in school, have 
parents who were born in non-English speaking countries. In Bisho].) Street, Clay 
Street. Croft, Duggan and Barnard schools aliout three-fourths of the children 
have parents who were bom in non-English speaking countries. The \>vv cents 
vary all the way from ~y per cent at Bishop to ])er cent at Washington. It goes 
without saying that those schools which have the higher per cents of pupils whose 
parents were born in non-English speaking countries liave peculiar ])roblems to 
solve that the other schools do not ha\e." 

The average enrollment of children l)(jrn in foreign countries is about I J per 
cent. 

PRIVATE SCHOOLS 

.Among the private schools running in iSi),^. the most iniiiort:uU was "St. Mar- 
garet's .School for Girls." which was long conducted under the auspices of the 
Waterbury School Association, a private organization of citizens, and in 1875 was 
]3resented to the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut for a Diocesan School. In 
1893, Miss Mary R. Hillard was placed in charge and remained until KpS. The 
school is still running successfully, with a vastly extended curriculum. It is now 
in charge of Rev. John N. Lewis, Jr., rector; Emily Gardner Munro, principal. 

In 1908, Miss Hillard decided to establish a school for girls at Middlebury, 
Conn., and interested many of the leading men and women in ^^'aterbury in this 
enterprise. A company was formed with John II. Whittemore at its head and a 
magnificent school building was erected in Middlebury. (Jf this the architect was 
Miss Theodate Pope, now Mrs. John Riddle, and it is one of the model school 
bui'dings of the state, its cost running up to $100,000. The name of the school 
is "The Westover." 

The school was opened in the spring of 1909. with 125 in attendance, some- 
thing over actual capacity. It has been run successfully ever since. Dr. Mary R. 



80 \\A-J'ERi:URY A.\D THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

llillard is still in charge. Its attendance this year, with its increased capacity, is 
150. The new studio, constructed recently, is also in use. Harris Whittemore 
succeeded his father as president of the Westover School Corporation. 

The Academy of the Convent of Notre Dame celebrated its quarter centennial 
in 1894. At that time it was under the direction of Madam St. Stanislaus. Today 
it is in charge of Sister Superior St. Faustina. It has 14 teachers and 220 pupils. 

St. I\rary's Parochial School was established August 29, 1886, by Father JMul- 
cahy, and was in its own building at the beginning of this quarter century, 1893. 
This had been solemnly blessed on Sei)tember 3, 1888. It is interesting to note 
that during his entire Waterbury pastorate. Father Mulcahy was a member of the 
Hoard of Education of the Center district, and was for some years chairman of 
Ihc board. 

Father .Mulcahy also built the convent, in 1889. In its first year the school had 
700 children, in charge of 12 Sisters. Sister Superior Rosita was then superin- 
tendent of the school. Monsignor Slocuni, in 1902, built the Mulcahy Memorial, 
which is now used as a club house for the school alumni and alumnae. In 1905 
the eight-room grammar school was built. This gives the school at present twenty 
rooms. The attendance in 1917 is 950. In 1916 it was 1,050. There are now 
twenty Sisters teaching, in charge of Sister Superior Claudine. 

Sister Superior Claudine came to Waterbury from Convent Station, N. J., in 
1897, and has been in continuous charge since then. 

The record of parochial schools for 1917 is as follows: 

St Mary's Parochial School for the Parish i/f the Immaculate Conce[)tion — 
Sisters in charge, 20; pupils, 1,100. 

School of the Sacred Heart Convent — Sisters in charge, 9 : pupils 414. 

Parochial School of St. ./Xnn's Church — Sisters in charge, 17; pupils, 600. 

Parochial School of St. Joseph's Church (Lithuanian) — Sisters in charge, 12; 
I)upils, 57S. 

Parochial School of St. Thomas Church — Sisters in charge, 1 1 ; pupils. 490. 

.'\cademy of the Convent of Notre Dame — Sisters in charge, 14; pupils, 220. 

Parochial School of St. Margaret's Parish — Sisters in charge, 9: pupils, 350. 
This school was opened in 1914. 

HI'.RI.I.N' WKTr.HT TINKER 

Berlin Wright Tinker, superintendent of schools since 1897, succeeded to the 
position on the death of Superititendent Crosby. Thus during the past quarter 
century there have been but two men in active charge of the educational work of 
Waterbury. 

Mr. Tinker was born in Jerusalem, N. Y., February 7, 1867, and was educated 
in the public schools of Norwich, where his father was the minister of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. He graduated from liates College, then took a year's 
special course at P.oston University. His educational work began as principal of 
t!ie High School at Chelmsford, Mass. He was later in charge of the high schools 
at Southborough, Marblehead and Marlboro, coming to Waterbury in 1897. He 
is a meml)cr of the First Church. On August 25. 1889, he was married to Eliza- 
beth French Wyer. 

The long record of progress, of wise adjustment to conditions, is the best 
tribute that can be paid him. He has not alone kept the schools of Waterbury in 
the forefront of ;\nierica's city educational institutions, but he has, by original 
work, contributed materially to the advance of educational methods everywhere. 



WATERI'.L'KN- AXD Till'; XAL'(iATUCK \'ALLEV 81 

sti-.i'iii:n witr.iAM wilbv 

Steplien William Willi) \va^ priiK-ipal of the Crosby High School from iStjf) 
to the time of his death, Mareh 30, 11)17, .a period of twenty-one years of able 
service to the city. 

He was born at Spencer. Mass., Xovember 27, 18O5. graduated from Montreal 
College and later attended Holy Cross College, in Worcester. From this he grati- 
uated, in 1888. He began teaching in Epiphany College, one of the jjrincipal acad- 
emies in Baltimore, and later at St. -Vndrews' Seminary, Rochester. In 1895 he 
came to the Waterbury schools and w.is ;ipp<iinted ])rincipal of the High School 
in 189(1. 

His work here lias been of except iim.il waliie. The constant yearly increase in 
.•ittcndance necessitateii m.ake-shifts witlmut detr.icling from the \.ilne of the 
sclu)ol work, and in this lalmr he demcinstr.ali'd a r.are power of org.miz.itidn and 
of executive ability. 

Many additions to the courses were recnmniemled li\- him when the work of 
d<juble sessions was in itself enough lo keep his mind and time occupied, showing 
that nothing could defer him from keeiiing (he Crosby High Schodl up to st.andard. 

MiNor siii;rm.\\ ckosiiv 

Minot .Sherman Crosby w.is connected wilh llie W'.iterbiu'y scbuols from 1870 
to 1897, the year of his death, k'rom 1870 tn iS<)i he was butli ]irincipal of the 
Waterbury High School and Superintendent of ScIkhiIs. In i8i)i he w.as relieved 
of the high school work and confined his lalxirs to superintending the schools of 
the Center district. He was b(irn in (nnw.iy, Mass., preiiared for college at 
riiillips Academy, and gra<luated from .\nihersl. For ten years he was a teacher in 
the public schools of this stale :md in pri\ate schools in X'irginia and New York. 
In i8f>r he became principal of the ILiitfurd I'emale Seminary. In September, 
1870, he came to Watcrliur\. His wurk here w.as of e\ce])tional \-alue in estab- 
lishing a sound foundation for the gre.it grdwth that came in later years. 

The new high school, completed the year before his death, was named Crosljy, 
in honor of his long years of useful work in W.iterlutry. 

THK \KW W II.I-.V nil, II SCHOOL 

.\t present the sessions in the Crosby High ScIkkjI lUiilding are di\idcd, as fol- 
lows: Crosby High pupils, 8 .\. M. to' 12:45 I"- ^^■- Wilby High jntpils, 1 I', M. 
to 5 P. M. The Crosby is what might be termed the Classical High, and the Wilby 
the English, Commercial and Household Economics school. The new Wilby High, 
which will cost when completed, with its site on Pine and Grove streets, approxi- 
mately $1,000,000, will be ready for occupancy in 1910. The building will accom- 
modate from 1,200 to 1,500 ]ni|)ils. The architect, L. A. \\'alsh, has provided for 
approximately thirty-four rooms. It will lie a fu'cproof structure, imo by 19'' feet, 
on the so-called hollow-square ]ilan, the rooms being arranged about the .outside 
of the s(|uare, with the assemlily hall in the center. The exterior provides a build- 
ing on the Tudor-Gothic style, built of red rough ta])estry brick with the orna- 
mentation concentrated about the main front entrance and the two Pine Street 
entrances. The floors of corridors, toilet rdoms. lunch room, pciol room and locker 
rooms are to be terrazo. The floors of all other rooms are to be m.iple. The 
building has been set close to Pine Street, so that the approaches fur pupils from 
I Irove .Street may be made on an easy slo|)e. 



82 WATRRBURY AXD THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

SCHOOL RICGISTRATION FOR I9I7 

The following is the school registration for 1917: 

Crosby High School 897 Slocum 581 

Wilbj' 1 ligh School 553 Spragiie 473 

Abbott 171 Town 1 Mot 303 

Barnard 332 Walsh 1,092 

Begnal 415 Washington 585 

Bishop 530 Webster 829 

Bunker Hill 315 Welton 223 

Columbia 266 Maloney 622 

Croft 1.396 Bucks Hill 40 

Driggs 800 Chapel 179 

Duggan 715 East Farms 33 

Hamilton 90 East Mountain 87 

Hendrickcn 384 Hopeville 127 

Merriman 583 Oronokc 16 

Mill Plain 227 Park Road 47 

Mulcahy 446 Reidvillc 107 

Newton 1 leighls 52 

Porter 230 Total 14.172 

Russell 426 

MEDICAL IN'SPECTION 

The medical inspection in the schools of Waterbury dates back to 1898, when 
the first eyesight tests were made. The discovery of defective vision in about 11 
per cent of the children and the immediate efforts made to remedy this evil led 
in the following year to the passage of a state act, making these tests compulsory 
in all schools everj' three years. 

Medical inspection was introduced about 1907, and it was due largely to the 
efforts of the school doctors that children with weak lungs were segregated, as 
far as possible, and that the Open Air School was started in 1912. 

Today the Dental Association of Waterbury devotes some time to insjiection of 
teeth. The school physicians for 1917 are Drs. Charles A. Monagan and John W. 
Fruin, who make the rounds of all the schools of the city. Two nurses are also in 
the service of the schools and work either in the homes or schools, as the doctors 
advise. 

M.\RG.\RKT CROFT 

The Board of Education struck a tender and popular chord when it named one 
of its latest and best school buildings the Margaret Croft School. For ALargaret 
Croft was first of all a native of Waterbury, and, what is more important, one of 
the great factors in the advancement of its schools. 

She was born here, January 25, 1835, the daughter of James and Polly W. 
Croft. Tier father was the first person in Waterburj- who had been trained in the 
art of making gilt buttons. He was identified with this industry until his death, 
in TS37. 

Margaret Croft graduated ;it Mount Holyoke Seminary in 1855, was a teacher 
in Afississijjpi in 1855 and 1856, and in Georgia from 185S to t86i. In 1863 she 
became a \\'aterbur)' teacher, and her work was of such exceptional worth that 




iiii; \iai;i:ai;i: r (iinn- ^iiiniii.. w \ri i;i;i l;^ 




lEE^. ^^llfliif 




<•|:^S|;^ lllcll s( IK i(.|. w A I i;|;|;i \:\ 



WATERBURV AXD Tllli XAUGATUCK \"ALLEY S3 

she was later appointed assistant [jrincipal of the High School, which jiosition she 
retained until 1909, when she retired. She died August 20, 191 1. 

She was thus connected actively with the schools of W'aterhury for forty-six 
years, and had during that long period been one of the greatest of W'aterhury 's 
educational and moral influences. 

JOSKPII p. KENNEDY 

Joseph 1'. Kennedy, the pirincipal of the W'ilby High School, is a W'aterhury 
boy. He was born here Alarch _'S, 1S77, was educated in the W'aterhury jniblic 
schools and later graduated from .^t. .Mary's College, Emmitsburg. Md. He came 
to the Waterbury schools as a substitute teacher in 1898, and in February, lyoo, 
was made teacher of mathematics at the Crosby High School. In 1914 he was 
made sub-master. In September, mij. he was appointed principal cif the W'ilby 
High School. 

He is devoting much of his time to ]jlanniiig impr(;j\ enients fur the W'ilby High 
.School Building, which is to be ready for occupancy in ii)i<). 



Michael C. Donovan, principal nf the Cr()sl.)\- Higli Sclinnl, was burn in 
Belvidere, N. Y., October ]_>, iS(i,'<, and w:is e<hK-ated in the public and parochial 
.schools there and in W'l'Usville, X. N'. lie graduated from Xi.ig.ira University, 
Niagara Falls, X. \ , m i8i)_' ,ind in June. imiJ. hi^ college g,i\e him the hunorary 
degree of Litt. D. 

He received his Xormal training in the Teachers' College, Bufifalo. For two 
years after taking this course he worked for the Standard Oil Cumii.my al 
Lima and Findlay, (Jhiu. 

In i8q8 he came as teacher to the L'rusby High Schoul, Waterbury, where 
he has Ijeen e\er since. In Se])tember, iiK'4. when the Department uf English 
was created at the Crush)- High School, he was placed in charge of it. 

He was made temporary ]irincip;il on .March 13, l')lj, and princip.il -Ma\' 1, 
1917. 

Mr. Donoxan has tlnis been connected with the W'aterlnirv schools for nearly 
twciUy years, and throughout th.it period has gi\a-n \aluable ser\ice to its pupils. 
He is ;i strict flisciplinarian and h.is done much to a<l\.ance the cause of education 
in Waterbury. 

THE D.WID 0. I'OKTl';!; COLI.EiiE DEOUEST 

Da\id (.!. Porter, born in Waterliur\ .March 8. 1833, who spent most of an 
active life in this city, died ( ictolier 7, 11)03, and left a large iiurtion of his 
estati' for the founding of a cullege. He knew tliat in itself it would nut suffice 
for the purpose he had in mind and in his will he states that "when the accumu- 
lation, increased by possible cuntri1)Utiun--', donations or bequests frum uther 
sources, shall be deemed sufficient for the jnirpose, the trustees shall est.alilish a 
school or college on the pottion uf land west of the Meriden Road, to be operated 
according to the following plan :— - 

■'The courses of studv in the institution may be literary and classical, or 
scientific and technical, or imtli. but shall in any case lie made up of a six-niuiUh 
winter term for young men, cxtemling from (Jctober 1st to April 1st, these d.ates 
being movable at the discretion uf the trustees, but so as to comprise not less 



84 WA'rilRI'.L'RV AXl) THE XAL'CJATUCK \ALLFA' 

than six months, inclusive of a hohday recess of not more than one week, and 
shall he arranged so as to rise in grade, each succeeding term- or year above the 
preceding, and covering a period of not less than throe, nor more than six years. 

"The courses of study for young women shall be made up of summer terms 
of not less than three months each, and shall extend over a period of not more 
than four years; and as far as practicable, special prominence shall be given in 
these courses to the theory and practice of domestic science, literature and 
modern languages ; and a study of the constellations of the visible heavens, and 
of ornithology shall be included." 

The following explanatory paragraph is also signed by the testator and made 
a part and parcel of the will: 

"The purpose of the residuary legacy is to provide for the beginning of a 
school, or college, to be operated on a plan by which young men can earn during 
the six summer months what they will need to spend at college during the other 
six months of the year; in order that capable young men, who are so disposed, 
can secure a liberal education independently, and of their own resources, without 
incurring debt or the risk of injury to health liy attem])ting double work; and 
so that young women can receive such instruction in college courses as shall be 
fitted to their circumstances and needs under similar conditions, but without 
what is termed co-education." 

The following are named in tlie will to hold the property in trust for the 
above purposes: Cornelius Tracy. Albert D. Field, Charles L. Holmes, Edwy E. 
Benedict, Helen P. Camp and Margaret Torrance Holmes, wife of Walter W. 
Holmes. 

The Walerbury Trust Company was elected trustee of the fund on July 26, 
1907. It now ai)])roxiniates $45,000. 

David Porter devoted many years of his life to the study of theological and 
educational questions. Many of his contributions appeared in the New Christian 
Quarterly, some in the Xcw Englander and the Journal of Social Science. 

.\fter the publication of "The History of Waterbury," Mr. Porter published 
the following: "The Elder from Ephesus," 1897; "The Perversion of Funds 
in the Land Grant Colleges," 1S97; "Religion Straight from the Bible," 1902; 
"The Kingdom of God." 1905. 

In 1904 Mr. Porter edited and contributed largely to the cost of publication 
of a volume of 200 pages entitled, "A Century in the History of the Baptist 
Church in Waterbury. Conn." Interesting among a quantity of miscellaneous 
manuscri])t is, "The English Language and Its Written Expression." 

Till-. SII..\S IIKO.NSON LIMK.\RV 

P)eginiiing in 1869, with an endowment by Silas Bron.son, of Middlebury, of 
$200,0(X). the Silas P.ronson Librar)- was directed for some years according to 
the scholarly ideas then prevailing, and fulfilled its function as a storehouse for 
the preser\ation of rare and costly books. 

Later, the i)ressure of democratic tendencies forced it into line with a move- 
ment directed by the .American Library Association and having for its aim "The 
best books for the largest number at the least cost." To this "library move- 
ment." so-called, is due the pre.scnt system of free libraries supported by the 
I)eople and appealing to them under the democratic title of "People's Universi- 
ties." The Bronson Librarv belongs to both periods and shows the influence 
of both. 

In its reference (le|)arlnHnt are rare and beautiful works such as the early 




r.K(ixs(L\ Lir.i;Ai:\, w .\ri:i;i;iin 



WATKRHL'kV AXl) TIJK XAL'( iATL^C/K \■ALLE^• 85 

editions of Ruskin valunl at $200: the W-rsailk-s .t^alK-rv of pictures in j,^ 
vokimes. quoted at $()io: Audulion's "Rirds of Xorlli America," at $500; 'I'ryon's 
"Manual of Conchology" in 33 xiilnnic'-, \akie(l al S700 ; ami others of equal 
scarceness. The library has also J.oon nr imne \ijlunies relatintj to local history 
and genealogy, books wisely chosen fur the mudel collection which now attract 
visitors from all parts of the state. 

The library museum contains hue mineral >]iccimens cxhiliited at the Wdrkl's 
Fair in Chicago and secured for the library by Cornelius Tracy, a herbarium 
collected by II. \\ Rassett in se\eral different states, 1,000 coins preseiUcd by 
Nathan iJikeman, and war relics from sduthern b,Lltk-t"ield> and the I'hilippines. 
In 1906, F, J. Kingsbury, with the co-ojieration ai the Xaturalist ( lub, prest'nted 
a fine collection of New England l.iirds -wahu'd at alioul twelve hundred dollars; 
and in 1910, specimens (jf rare butterflie> beautifully mounted, were gi\en b\- the 
Misses Alerriman and Mrs. F. F,. Castle. 

The aristocratic period of development eniled in upo, when the circulation of 
books fell to (x),6oo volumes for the year, although in the lirsl \ear of the 
library's establishment, the circulation was ~(-'.J<>') \-olumes b.i^ed on a collection 
of less than 12,000 books. 

In iC)OJ, readers were for the first time admitted to the slieKc-s of the book- 
room, the stringency of the rules for liorrowers was relaxeil, ;ind the library 
became at once a popular institution. The record n{ succeeding \ears h.is been 
one of progress along democratic lines, and the issues of the librar\- have increased 
from 69,600 volumes in igoo to nearly 4(X),oo;) volumes in 11)17. 

.\n unexpected result has been the rapid growth in the reference use of the 
library by the masses of the ])eopIe. A itjw years ag(] i|nestions in\id\ing 
research of any sort were rarely asked; but during the p;ist year i.X^i subjects 
were referred to the librarian for special material. The use of the library is 
developed through a sjiecial department cared for by ;i "readers' " information 
librarian, who aids people in the use of the case catalogue, provides material 
for essays and debates, and answers all questions requiring special knowledge, 
including those sent by telephone. 

From this department is issued the monthly bulletin of the lil.irary, with 
lists on subjects such as the war. new thought, books aliout Ireland, technical 
books, city government ;uid social lietterment, while the 1)ulletiu board in the 
hallway calls attention to books relating to holid.iys and anniversaries or to other 
topics of special interest. Postals are also sent out notifying persons of recent 
additions in certain classes of literature. 

The collection of pani])hlets numbering some tifty-ti\e thousand is an impor- 
tant aid in information work and includes in their season such popular features 
as tourists' guides and the latest catalogues of colleges and universities. 

X'^ovel readers are accommodated by a collection of pay duplicates, antl atten- 
tion is called to the best stories in many lines by volumes grou[)e(l in the book- 
room under such designations as Stories of Country Life, New England Stories, 
Ghost Stories, Ci\il ^^'ar .Stories, and ( )ne Hundred of the Rest Xo\eIs, all of 
which have their speci.al jiatrons. 

The school work of the library is directe<l Ijy a trained children's Iibr,i|-ian 
under wdiose care are the children's rooms in the main building, and the br.inches, 
and the deposit libraries sent each year to e\ery grade beginning with the third in 
seventeen schoolhouses. 

In the Rrooklyn branch, story-telling as a method of interesting children in the 
best books has been introduced with success, and Ijoys' as well as girls' reading 
clubs are in the process of formation. 



86 WATERP.URY AXi:) Till': XAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Diiiinjf tiie weeks before Christinas, an exhibition of the books most loved 
by cliildrcn is always arranged at the main library and invitations to visit it are 
scut to mothers interested in selecting books as gifts. The library has also a per- 
manent collection of books for storj'-telling reserved for the use of mothers and 
teachers, and there is now a model library of 500 of the volumes best adapted for 
suj)plementary reading in the schools. 

The library co-operates with teachers in many ways, lending books for class- 
room use and j)roviding two study rooms for young essay writers and for those 
working on material for debates. There is also a lending collection of pictures 
patronized by teachers; by students of design; and, as to the portraits, by writers 
for the newspapers. 

I'rom these examples, it will be seen that by following after and supplying the 
popular demand, the Silas Bronson Library has achieved a great increase in use- 
fulness and is committed to many new lines of activity. It has now, including 
school libraries and branches, nineteen outside agencies for the distribution of 
books and each of these is the nucleus for increasing usefulness. Twenty assistants 
are employed, though, a few years ago, seven sufficed. 

The new building in Library Park on Grand Street, was opened in 1894. The 
Children's Room was ojjcned in 1898. Miss Helen Sperry was appointed librarian 
in 1906. The stack room was opened to the pul)lic in IQ02. P.ooks have been 
sent to the schools since 1903. 

The branches were established as follows : 

Waterville, 1907. 

South Waterbury, opened 190S; closed, 1912. 

Brooklyn, opened 1909. 

Rose Hill, opened 1913. 

There were in the library on January i, 19 17, 100,345 books. 

The board of agents of the Bronson Library consists of twelve electors of 
the city, two of whom are elected at each biennial city election, to hold office 
for a period of twelve years from the fourth day of July next following their 
election. 

The board of agents of the Bronson Library are legally constituted agents 
of the City of Waterbury, with full power to collect, invest, expend, manage and 
control the Bronson Library Fund and the income therefrom, and to establish, 
regulate and manage the Bronson Library. 

b'oUowing are the officers : 

Martin Scully, president; Lewis A. I'latt, secretary; Otis S. Northrop, treas- 
urer; Helen .Sperry, librarian. 

The board of agents at present is as follows: 

Charles H. Swenson, Mark L. Sperry, James E. Russell, Otis S. Northrop, 
John O'Neill, Tcrrence F. Carmody, John P. Kellogg, Francis P. Guilfoile, 
Lewis A. Piatt, Ik'niard .\. Filzpatrick, James S. Elton, Martin Scully. 

THE M.\TT.\TUCK IIISTORIC.\L SOCIKTV 

It appears from the brief record in the "History of Waterbury," by Dr. Joseph 
Anderson, that an historical society was projected by some of its citizens in 
1875, "but the scheme did not take definite shape until 1877, t'^e bicentennial of 
the settlement of the town, when special interest in local history was aroused." 

The origin of the society as related in the first entry in its records was as 
follows: "Upon an invitation signed by F. J. Kingsbury, Joseph Anderson, and 
H. F. Bassett, the following named gentlemen met at the rooms of the Waterbury 



\\ATERr,l-RV AXD Till-: XAUGATUCK \'ALLEY «7 

Scientitic Society on tin- u\L-ninj;- of r)ccL-mlicr 22. 1877, for the organization of 
an historical society: I". J. Kint;sbnry. l\e\-. Joseph .Vnderson, Prof. Isaac Jcn- 
niiii^s, E. L. Brown, S. \\'. Kello^i,'. '">eors^e I-:. 1'errv. N. I. Wehon. Anson (i. 
Stocking, Rev. K. (i. r.eckwilli, D.D., Trnf. M. S. Cn.sl.y.'n. V. r.assett." 

Tile constitntiiin ailopteil at lliat nu-elin!; L;a\e as its purjirisr the collection and 
[)rcservation "of \vliate\er. in the opinion of its nieniliers, may serve to exjilain 
or illustrate the history. ci\il or ecclesiastical, the archaeolot,fy, or the n.atura! 
history of the State of t 'onnecticnt, and especially the re<^ion oriijinally included 
in the Town of Water! )Ury and formerly known as Alattatuck." There were 
twenty signers. In addition to those already mentioned, these wi-re : Israel 
Holmes, D. L. Durand. David P.. Hamilton. S. AF. Terry, (i. W. Tucker, S. B. 
Terry, Robert W. Hill, I'red A. :\Iason. Gideon L. P'latt, George W. Cook, 
C. AL Piatt. James T). Cook. Guernsey S. Parsons, George R. Welton. John O'Neill, 
Jr.. Israel Coe. Mr. Kingshury was its first president and ("ico. A. Tucker its 
first secretary. 

In May, i8o(). a collection of stone im|)lements, rejjresenting the .American 
Indian, was shown at the V. M. C. .\. This w.is purchased by Elisha Leaven- 
worth and Cornelius Tracy, and placed on the upper floor of the Bronson Library. 
Mr. Leavenworth announced tliat he would provide for its proper housing in a 
new building, which was to be a museum in charge of the Historical Society. 

Later, for the purpose of ofiicially receiving this and other like gifts, "The 
Mattatuck Historical Society" was incorporated, February 14, 1902. with the fol- 
lowing incorporators : Frederick J. Kingsbury, Joseph Anderson, Anna L. Ward, 
Katherine A. Prichard. David G. Porter, John G. Davenport and Charles L. 
1 lolmes. Its' first officers after incorpor.ation were : President, Frederick T. Kings- 
bury ; vice presidents, Joseph Anderson, .'-^arah J. Prichard ; treasurer, Charles L. 
Holmes: secretary, Katherine A. I'richard: directors. John G. Davenoort, y\nna L. 
VN'ard, David G. Porter. 

Beginning wdth the annual meeting of December 10. 1902. the organization met 
regularly on the second Monday of March. June, October and December. Before 
it had its own building, these meetings were held in the conference room of the 
First Church, and from Octolier, 1907. to June, 1910, at the home of President 
Kingsbury. 

On Time 8, ic>o4, the society received from Flisha Leavenworth a gift- of 
."^ 10.000. and on October 10, 1007, he purchased and presented to the society the 
ethnological and archaeological library collected liy Dr. Joseph Anderson. This 
consisted of several thousand books and pamphlets relating to tlie races of men. 
the stone age in Europe and America, and the American Indian. 

The death of President Kingslniry occurred September 30, ioto, and Dr. Joseph 
Anderson succeeded him at the following annual meeting in December, ioto. 

By the will of Flisha Leavenworth, who died January 6, 191 1, the society was 
bequeathed ample funds with which to purchase its own home. On June 14. ion, 
therefore, the first meeting was held in what had been known as the Ludington 
Place on West Main Street, and which had been purchased for $;o,ooo. Later in 
this year the society purchased the ground adjoining it, on Kendrick Street, 
26V2 by 112 feet, and in 1012 erected the present Museimi Building, which is 
50 feet wide and 62 feet long. This building, by Architects Gri'^gs and Hunt, of 
Waterbury, is connected with the house fronting on West Main Street by a broad 
hall and marble steps. It is three stories in height, with an auditorium on the top 
floor, which has been regularly used since IQ12 for the six successive picture 
exhibitions of the society. The main floor and a large part of the first floor are 
set apart for museum purposes. * 



88 WAJ IIKI'.L'RV AXl) TIIK XALGATUCK XALI.EY 

The basement at tlie j)resent time is devoted to those articles which have not 
as yet been jjlaced on exhibition, or which are too large to permit of their occu- 
pying si)ace in the main museum. Among the articles to be found there are a 
carpet loom which was built into a house on Hunter Mountain, Naugatuck, and 
which had to be taken to pieces to be removed from its former home to its present 
position : also the first carriage ever seen in Waterbury. 

On the top floor is the lecture hall of the society. This is fitted with proper 
lighting ajjparatus for a picture gallery. The iirst jjainting received toward a 
permanent collection is "A Road Near the Sea," by William Lang.sen Lathrop. 

Rut the room in which much interest centers is the museum occupying the 
main iloor of the building. In this there are twenty-one cases, sixteen arranged 
in rows on either side of the room, twelve being table cases, four table and wall 
cases combined, and the other five being centrally placed. The wall cases, which 
occupy the space at the further end of the hall, are memorial cases dedicated to 
Col. Jonathan Baldwin, Miss Sarah J. Frichard, IJennet Rronson and Deacon 
Aaron lienedict. These were presented by Miss Katherine L. Peck, Miss 
Katherine A. Prichard, J. Plobart Rronson and Mrs. Oilman C. Hill. 

Since 1914, three memorial cases have been added, the gifts of the Kingsbury 
family, the descendants of Wm. H. Scovill and the Henry W. Scovills. 

The late Doctor Anderson so skillfully arranged the exhibition that in passing 
down the east side of the room, the visitor sees first relics from ancient Babylonia 
and Assyria, then comes the neolithic collection, mostly from Denmark, followed 
by the American prehistoric collection arranged geograpliically. The modern 
American Indian collection presents a pleasing contrast to that of the prehistoric 
collection. The part played by the white man in American history is represented 
by a collection of wonderful laces, silk garments, lace collars, traveling bags, 
together with autographs and documents of various sorts, — the niceties of the 
white man's civilization which he early introduced into the rough country he had 
cho.sen for his new home. 

The cases along the west side of the room are devoted mostly to the collection 
of Revolutinary and Civil war relics, a miscellaneous collection of Waterbury and 
other relics, a miscellaneous collection of shells and the mineralogical collection 
which has been loaned by the Rronson Library. 

•Several of the collections either have been donated or loaned by Waterbury 
people who have a deep interest in historical Waterbury. The prehistoric col- 
lection from Nova Scotia was given by W. W. Holmes, the Prince Edward Island 
collection by H. W. Ilaydcn ; the ethnological collection of modern Indians by 
H. H. Peck, the modern Indian industry collection by Cornelius Tracy, the Hayden 
collection of modern Indian industry by Mrs. Shirley Fulton, the Rienstadt col- 
lection of modem Indian industn,- by Miss Caroline Piatt, the collection of old 
laces by the Misses Kingsbury, the lace and shawl collection by Miss Katherine 
A. Prichard. and several other collections, including the Cowles collection of 
pistols and the Peck collection of swords are to be found there. 

The Babylonian and Assyrian tablets are of various ages, from the most 
remote period down to the time of Darius. They contain records of prayers and 
hymns, astrological notes, omens, lists of sacrifices, wills, contracts, sales of lands, 
receipts for loans, legal proceedings, with many other commercial and religious 
matters. Some of them bear their exact date. 

The paleolithic collection, which is next in order, includes some of the oldest 
known implements. Most of these are from France, the collection of French 
polished stone and flint implements found near .Amiens and the Chellean imple- 
ments taken from the gravel of the River Somme, the site where many remark- 



WATF.RI'.Lin' AXL) THE XAL'i -ATL'CK \'ALLE^• Si) 

able cliijijied hand iiniilL-iiK-nts have been fi)unil, \K-\ng exaniiiles i.if what thi^ jiart 
i.>f the collection has to offer. 

The neolithic collection is nuuic u]> mostly of Danish ini|)leinents of much 
superior cjuality to the paleolithic collection. Cells, ])olisheil ami unpnlished, 
stone axes and gouges, flint axes, chipped spears, ;md kni\es and perfected axes 
tell the story of human progress. 

The American prehistoric collection, that g;ithered largely hy Doctdr .\nder- 
son, occu])ies five entire cases and in this all ])arts of the United .States are rep- 
resented. 

The Xova Scotia collection, the gift <d' W. W. Holmes, and the I'rince l-'dward 
Island collection, the gift of If. W. IIa_\den, are followed by the Maine collection, 
which was the result of the explorations of W. K. Moorehead. The Xew Hamp- 
shire and \'ermont collection of arrow heads, stone and iron axes, celts, medals, 
pipes, etc. About the same things are to be found in the collectii.nis from Massa- 
chusetts and Rhode Island. 

The (,'onnecticut collection, which i^ i|uite extensi\e, is arranged according to 
the various divisions of the state. The eastern division includes such tuwns and 
cities as Sterling, Stonington, Putnam, Mystic and Jewett City. In the central 
division are East Hartford. Torrington, Windsor Hill. Then comes a division 
which includes the \'icinity about Xew Haven, and last is the division included in 
tlie vicinity about Waterbury. From the Xew Haven \icinity, es])ecially from 
West Haven and Woodmont, the home (d Doctor Anderson, are many arrow- 
heads broken in the making. More abundant than arrowheads are these so-called 
"rejects," the failures in arrow making. They are stones which proved too 
obdurate to work, llesides containing the usual Indian relics, the collection from 
the vicinity about \\'aterbury includes pieces of wood taken from a considerable 
depth and bearing the marks of having lieen cut with some blunt instrument. 
The depth at which they were found, and also the fact that they are petrified, 
shows that they were cut and buried centuries ago. 

The collection from the other states of the Union include munerous articles 
of interest. Xew York, Xew Jersey. Pennsylvania. Delaware. \'irginia. West 
\'irginia, Xorth Carolina. Georgia. Florida, the gulf states. Tennessee. Ken- 
tucky, the Ohio River \'alley states. Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arkansas, 
Iowa. Missouri, Oklahoma, the Rocky Mountain states. — in short, every part of 
the I'nion has contributed something toward the American prehistoric collection 
now in the museum of the Mattatuck Historical Society. The \arious sections of 
the countrv ha\e contributed articles of \arious types. The South has furnished 
manv articles in the pottcrv line, the western states have furnished large and 
heavy stone articles. From Oregon the collection of chipped implements and orna- 
ments of jasper, agate, carnelian. is one of the most beautiful Indian collections 
in existence. This is the gift of Irving H. Chase, 

.\t the southern end of the museum are the combined table and wall cases. In 
the first part of the wall. cases is exhibited the portrait of Col. Jacob Kingsbury. 
a member of the Society of Cincinnati. This portrait was painted by Waldo 
about 1810, and, together with the certificate of membership in that society, was 
loaned In- the Misses Kingsliury. The lace collection, including specimens of old 
Spanish blonde of the seventeenth century. Point de IMilan of the eighteenth 
century, Flemish pillow lace, also of the eighteenth century, and Point d'Alencon 
of the seventeenth centurj', was also loaned by the Misses Kingsbury, and occupies 
one of the table cases. 

Of much interest is the case of old deeds, Indian deeds relating to the settle- 
ment of Mattatuck, proprietors' records, etc., a note book fielonging to Re\-. John 



90 \\\ti:rul;ry and the naugatuck valley 

Soiithmayd when at Harvard College, in 1694, being of special value. Here also 
are the ear bones of Rev. John Southmayd, preserved in a tiny bottle. 

The LLiyden collection, the gift of Mrs. Shirley Fulton in memory of her 
father, contains many fine .specimens of modern Indian industry. This collection 
occupies two cases. Across the aisle from this is the Bienstadt collection, the 
gift of Miss Caroline Piatt. Miss Katherine A. Prichard has loaned various 
family heirlooms, including the wedding veil worn by her mother in 1827, and 
also a beautifully embroidered silk shawl. 

An idea of the dress of the early American woiuen is given by two calashes, 
which were worn by elderly women over their caps, and traveling bags, one of 
which was embroidered in 1838 by Cornelia j\L Johnson. These articles have 
been loaned by Mrs. G. C. Hill. Some valuable autographs, various old publica- 
tions, early bank bills and a few miscellaneous articles complete the exhibition 
contained in the memorial cases. These were all loaned by Mrs. Gilman C. Hill. 

The Revolutionary and Civil war relics, including bayonets, swords, revolvers, 
pistols, cannon balls, canteens, irons, shells and the like, fill several cases. The 
valuable collection of jiistols, assembled by Pierre C. Cowles, and the collection 
of rare swords, presented by II. H. Peck, follow in the cases next to the war 
relics. There are examjiles of stone heads, idols and jiottery from Mexico nnd 
Central .\merica, and weapons, i^ipes and other modern Indian articles nresented 
bv 11. H. Peck. The Cornelius Tracy collection of specimens pertaining to 
modem Indian industry ofi'ers many interesting examples. 

In the miscellaneous collection, there are s'^veral articles of close and deep 
association to Waterbury people. Among these are the latches from the doors 
of St. John's Church, built in 1797. wrought iron nails from the fliram I'pson 
house in Platts Mills, old tallow candle dips, a collection of historic and political 
medals, all of deep interest locally. 

In 1916 [amcs Terry of New Haven and Hartford loaned the society his valu- 
al)le Washington collection. This contains, among other articles, the hnnnuet 
table used by Washington to entertain his officers aftar the Battle of Yorktown. 
It was bought in 1775 from the Fairfax familv and taken to Mount \'ernon. 
There are also in the collection the sideboard, breakfast table and a porch chair 
from Mount X'ernon, many broadsides and a considerable quantity of valuable 
porcelain. The collection also contains a Thomas Jefferson chair, used by that 
statesman at Monticello. 

A tablet was erected in 1916 at Sled Haul Brook on the cemetery road in 
memory of the first Waterbury settlers. 

The tablet to Elisha Leavenworth was placed in the Historical Society Build 
ing in ic)i7. 

On November 7, 1917, the society numbered 960 active members. The honor- 
ary membershi]) list is as follows : 

Henr}' Bronson. M. D.. New Haven, from June 3, 1878, until his death, 
Novemlier 2C\ 1803. 

Horace Ilotchkiss. Plainfield, New Jersey, from June 3. 1878, until his death, 
March 9. 1879. 

Flisha Leavenworth, from Oecember 10. 1902. until his death. Januarv- 6. 191 1. 

Franklin Carter, LL. D.. Willianistown. Mass., elected December 14, 1910. 

Katherine A. Prichard, elected January 24, 191 2. 

Constance G. DuBois, elected October 8, 1913. 

The income of the Society, apart from fees paid on admission to membership 
and the annual dues, is derived almost entirely from the Leavenworth beaucst. 
The gift of .$10,000, conveved to the society in 1904, had at the time of bis death 
increased to $15,000. He left by his will $40,000 for the purchase of the land and 



WATERCURV AM) Till' NAUGATUCK \-ALLEY 91 

the house which the Society iKiw occupies, and $50,000 for income, .md also 
made the Society one of the first resithiary legatees. The total hequest is placed 
at about $175,000. 

The present officers of the Society are as follows: President. Arthur Reed 
Kimball; vice presidents, John I'rince I'^lton, .Mark Leavenworth Sperry ; secre- 
tary, Henry Lincoln Rowland ; treasurer, Charles Leland Holmes : curator, Walter 
VVetmore Holmes ; assistant secretary, Lucy Peck Bush ; assistant treasurer, 
C. Sanford Bull; assistant curator, Lucy Peck Bush; assistant, Catherine W. 
Pierce. 

Annual directors: Arthur Reed Kiniliall. Jnhn Prince Elton. Henry Lincoln 
Rowdand, Carl Eugene Munger, Charles Leland Holmes. 

Permanent directors: To serve until Lanuary. iQtO. Charles E. Chapin and 
Erederick G. Mason; to ser\e until Lanuary, 1920, Mark L. Sperry and Hugh 
L. 'Jdiompson : to serve until January. ii)_'i. PLarris Whittemore ; to serve until 
January, 1922, Robert E. Griggs and Xathaniel R. Bronson ; to serve until Lanu- 
ary. 1923, ^Vallace H. Camp and Erederick S. Chase. 

The membership committee consists of: Erederick G. ^fason, chairman ; Wal- 
lace H. Camp, Katherine D. Hamilton. Merritt Heminwa\-. Walter IVLakcpeace, 
Ahiiira C. Twining. 

PLiuse committee: I'rederick .S. Chase, chairman; Martha R. Driggs, Alice 
E. Kingsbury. Plugh L. Thonijison. Cornelius Tracv. 

Meetings committee: Arthur Reed Kiniliall. chairman; Mrs. Erederick S. 
Chase, Charles A. Dinsmore, John P. Elton, Edith D. Kingsbury, Mary ]!. Bur- 
rail, Harris Whittemore. 

Museum committee: Waller W. Holmes, chairman; George A. Goss. Cather- 
ine H. Griggs, Alice E. Kingsbury. Katherine L. Peck. Mrs. Walter D. Make- 
peace, Mrs. Nelson A. Pomeroy, Mrs. Augustin A. Crane. 

Memorial committee: Edwin S. Hunt, chairman; Mrs. William E. Chatticid, 
Darragh DeLancev. Elorentine H. Havilen. Katherine A. Prichard. Anna L. 
Ward.' 

Einance committee: Robert E. Grisjcs, Heurv L. Rowland. 



CIlArTIiR VII 
TRAXSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION 

TIIRKE XOTABI.I-: INDUSTRIAL TRIUMPHS ELIMINATION OF GRADE CROSSINGS EREC- 
TION OK THE UNION DEPOT — DOUItLE-TRACKING THE ROADS ENTERING WATERBURY 

COST OF IMPROVEMENTS MADE IN A DECADE IN WATERBURY's TERMINALS 

RAMIFICATION OF THE TROLLEY SYSTEM ITS GROWTH FROM HORSE CAR LINE TO 

THE NETWORK OF PRESENT EXTENSIONS — THE GREEN LINE TELEGRAPH, TELE- 
PHONE AND EXPRESS. 

In the cjiuirter century which is now ending, Waterhury has won hy consistent 
agitation, by many cheerfully-made concessions, and in several instances by 
appeals to the State Railroad Commission, to the Public Utilities Board, and to 
the courts, three notable industrial triumphs. 

These are the complete elimination of all railroad grade crossings, the build- 
ing of a new Union Station w-ith vastly increased yard facilities, and the double- 
tracking of the railroad lines entering the city. 

The agitation for a Union Station began in 1889. This was a demand not 
only for the station, but for the elimination of all grade crossings and separation 
of grades on the Naugatuck Division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford 
Road. In 1893 an agreement was reached by which the railroad consented to the 
construction of "a wooden depot to cost $25,000." 

Such was the beginning and such the first concession made to the persistent 
ajjpeals of Waterbury's citizens. 

At that time, 1893, the act covering the abolition of grade crossings had been 
in effect four years, and Waterhury was on the alert to secure its share of these 
improvements, for the new law required a reduction of at least one grade cross- 
ing each year for every sixty miles of road owned or operated within the state. 
In 1909, twenty years after the passage of the act, there remained only six cross- 
ings at grade between Naugatuck Junction and Waterhury. Of these, three 
were in Milford, two in Derby and Ansonia, and one in Naugatuck. When this 
work was completed in 191 1, it was asserted by the state officers that the im- 
provements ordered by this law on elimination of grade crossings had cost the 
New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad $7,725,304. 

In i8(>S the city won its first great victory in this contest. The State Rail- 
road Commission, in its rejjort for that year, states that "Bank Street, which 
formerly crossed the railroad at grade, has been carried under it, in accordance 
with a decree of the Superior Court, dated November 14, 1S88, made on an 
appeal from an order of the State Railroad Coinmission. This eliminates the 
most dangerous grade in the city.'' This refers to Bank Street at its entrance 
into the Brooklyn district. 

The victors', which took ten years to gain, had an immediate influence in 
effecting a further agreement between the city and the railroad. In that year, 
1898, the upper Waterville Road, leading from Waterbury to Waterville, was 
carried under the railroad. The City of Waterbury paid one-half the expense 

92 



\VATI-:R1;L'KV AXD the XAUCATUCK \"ALLEY 93 

of the clian.ijc, the- liighway having Ix-en liuilt sincr the location ami construction 
of the railroad. 

The trolley catastrophe of Xovember 2i;, 1907, was a terril)le demonstration 
of the necessity of the elimination of grade crossings. .\n ( )ak\illc lioiind trolley 
car was coni]iletely wrecked by a north-bound freight at the W est Main Street 
car crossing over the tracks of the Highland and Xaugatuck L)i\i>ion. h'lve were 
killed and twenty-four iirjured in this wreck. The responsibility for this disaster 
was ]ilaced on the employees of both the trolley coniiiany and the railroads. 

In ( Iclober. 1S99, the company and the city agreed on increased protection at 
the West Main ami Porter Street crossings. Guarded gates were e\entually 
placed, both at the point where West Main Street crosses the tracks of the Xauga- 
tuck Division and at the point where I'orter Street crosses the Highland Di\ision. 

In 1902, the work of double-tracking the road into W.iterbury heg.ni. This 
task had been completed to a point south of 1 )t'rby Junction and was now under- 
taken for the stretch of mail from 1 )erliy to W'aterliury. ( )n September i(>, 11)04. 
the railroad, at the urgent solicitation of cii\- olficers. lieg.m tlie construction of 
the viaduct over the L'piier W'aterxille Road at W'aterville. thus remo\ing a 
dangerous crossing. 

In 1906 began the work of dnulile-tr.icking the stretch of road l)etween 
\\'aterl)urv and liristol. In niii thi^ work' wa> completed. It iuMilved the 
elimination of all grade crossings between Waterbury and I'.ristol, the str.iight- 
ening of the line, the construction of ;i ttmnel ,^3(x> feet long, and the forming 
of a continuous double track line between Hartford and \\';iterbury. 

Xow. too. came the period of he.nier engines and !iea\ier trat'hc, .-iml a change 
in the construction of railro.id bridges w;is imperatixe. \'>v IMio, pr.actically all 
the wooden bridges on the Xaugatuck and Highland iIi\isions hail been re|ilaced 
by steel or thoroughlv strengthened. This was no sm.all task, for there were 
thirtv-two of these wooden bridges between Waterbury and Meriden .alone. This 
is all steel construction now. 

In 1910, the steel Iiridge built over the I'otatuck River, ne.ir S.indy Hook 
Station, rejilaced the last wooden bridge existing on the I liglilaml Dixision west 
of Waterbury. 

In its report of nioi) on the I'nii.m .Station impinxenients. the State Railroad 
Commission said: "The L'nion Passenger ."^tatiijn iif Waterlmry has been erected 
at a cost of $3,^2.000. The e\])encliture for other improvements in the city of 
Waterbury, including the new freight houses, freight \ards. addition.al tracks, 
elimination of crossings, purchase of pro])erty. etc.. uj) to June 30, igoc), amounted 
to Si,f)23,CK». and it is estimated that $150,000 more will be needeil to complete 
the impro\-ements. The total expense will go over ."^2.ooo,cxjO." 

For the past three years the im[)ro\ enients made bv the Xew ^'ork. Xew 
Haven & Hartford Railroad have been largel}- in the line of extending the yards. 
and in the building of industrial trackage. 

During the war [jeriod, — three years, — the road has built apjjroximately seven 
miles of sidings in Waterbury. I'"ully two miles were constructed for Scovill's. 
a mile for the Chase Works, and fully half a mile for the .American I'.rass Com- 
l)any. The extensions to the yards liave increased the facilities so that five hun- 
dred additional cars can be .accommodated. 

Rut the tremendous freight business of the past three \ears h.is necessitated 
many impro\-ements along the lines leading to Waterbur\ . in the way of running 
.side tracks, of extending yards at outhing points, of finther strengthening bridges 
to carry increased weight of engines. 

The merging of the various railroads entering W.aierbin-y into the Xew York, 



94 WATl'RnUKY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

New Haven & Hartford Railroad was nearly complete in 1893-. In May, 1887, 
the Naiigatiick Kailroad was leased for ninety-nine years to the New Haven 
system at $_'00,ooo a year. In 1875 it had bought the Watertown line from its 
trustees. 

The New York and New England Railroad was a union of many railroad 
companies, which were made a part of one corporation on April 17, 1873. It 
owned or leased the Boston, Hartford and Erie Road, the Norwich and Worcester 
Railroad, a line of steamers running from Norwich and New London to New 
York, and the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Road. In 1881, it opened the 
line from Waterbury to Danbur}', and in 1882 the line from Danbury to Fish- 
kill. It also actiuirod the railroad running from Hartford to Sjiringfield with its 
branches. 

Early in 1887 construction of a railroad between Waterbury and the Con- 
necticut River, by way of Meridcn, was begun. On July 4, 1888, this was 
opened. In January, 1889, the railroad had been completed across the city to the 
New York and New England line. In 1892 the road i)assed into the temporary 
control of the New York and New England Railroad Company, but merely on a 
lease. 

When the Aferiden Road bonds became due, its operation was stopped and 
foreclosure followed. Judge A. Heaton Robertson, of New Haven, purchased 
it for $100,000 in 1896. In 1897 Judge Robertson pledged himself to the Legis- 
lature that he would resume operations before the next session of the Legislature. 
On November 3(1, he incorporated it as the Middletown, Meriden & Waterbury 
Railroad. The officers were: President, A. Heaton Robertson; secretary, John 
P. Robertson, of New Haven ; treasurer, A. Heaton Robertson ; directors, Fred- 
erick C. Wagner, Henry C. Ely, Wm. H. Clark, all of New York; John L. 
Billard, Charles L. Rockwell, H. L. B. Pond, all of Meriden; Frederick J. Kings- 
bury, of Waterbury, and the officers above named. It was officially re-opened on 
December 6, 1898, the New Haven road operating it. This arrangement was 
later extended and the New Haven road secured control of the line. In 1904 
a connection was made with the Northami)ton Division, near Cheshire, resulting 
in the "Cheshire Loop" rail route between Waterbury and New Haven. The 
run was made in fifty minutes without change, as against an hour and a quarter 
with one change on the route via Derby, and there was a special round-trip rate 
of seventy cents, a considerable reduction. Consequently the "Cheshire Loop" 
became very popular, but with the ojiening of the Cheshire trolley to Mount 
Carmel, giving a through line to New Haven, business speedily fell off on the 
I)arallel rail route, which was soon abandoned. Thereafter the Meriden branch 
ran one mixed train of two cars daily each way between Waterbury and Meriden. 
In 1917, war conditions on railroads called for the discontinuance of this train as 
unnecessarv'. The service now is occasional and irregular. 

The ^leriden branch was built primarily as a freight line to connect Water- 
bury and Meriden with tide water at the Connecticut River. W'hile the hopes of 
its builders were never realized, the eastern end of the line has proved useful. 
It has been electrified between Meriden and Middletown and affords regular 
passenger and express service. 

On July I, 1898, the New England Railroad passed into the hands of the 
New Haven Railroad, thus ending the only fonnidable competition the consoli- 
dated system ever had. 



WATERllUkV .W'l) THl'. NAL'CATUCK \ALLEY 95 

TIIF. NEW UNION STATION 

On July II. ii>o<i, the new L'nioii Station of the New ^'ork, Xew lla\x"ii & 
Hartford Raih-oad was opened to the pubhc. This, witii its many improvements 
in the way of street openings, eHniination of grade crossings by the new viaduct 
and subway track service, was a tremendous advance over old conditions. Water- 
bury for years grumbled about the old Bank Street Station of the Xaugatuck 
Division. This was the successor of the town's first depot, which was erected in 
1857. The Bank Street building was opened on January 22. iS()8. and was called 
"palatial." It was closed to the public March 20, IQ08, and has since been torn 
down and the site added to the pro|)erty of the Waterbury Parrel Foundry and 
Machine Co.. which has covered it with factory buildings. Temporarily the 
public was allowed to purchase tickets in a tenijiorary wooden Iniikling near the 
West brass mill, off West M.iin .Street, until the tracks were shifted and the 
junctions completed. 

The station is ample in its reciuin/meiits for ;i city of nmre than 100.000 popu- 
lation. Large swinging doors, three in number, admit to the waiting-room from 
Meadow Street. This waiting-room is furnished with high-back mission style 
seats, the floor is of mosaic tiling, with arched ceilings of t;ipestry brick. 

The ticket office has three large windows with decorative brass scroll f.acings 
and marble counters. 

At the north end of the waiting-room are the women's reclining and tuilet 
rooms, and the men's smoking room and toilets, and a large newsstand for the 
Connecticut News Co. 

The Western L'nion Telegraph Co. has the roum at the south end of the 
waiting-room. Ne.xt comes a large resl.auranl. and ]ie\(ind that a baggage-room. 
The .\dams Express Co. is quartered at the north end of the Imilding. 

The construction of the new deput and the street changes required to make 
effective the new approach had begun in lood. ;ind in this work the city co-oper- 
ated most heartily with the railway officials. Grand .Street and Meadow .Street 
were widened to make an impressive approach to the new station, and at their 
junction there was a fill of over fifteen feet, many hundreds of thousands of yards 
of material being used. The city condemned a large number of buildings, some 
of the property acquired being used for street widening and station approaches 
and the remainder being added to the Bronson Library property, thus creating 
Library Park. .Some of the structures torn dnwn were the ramshackle buildings 
surrounding the Meadow Street .Station of the old Highland L)i\ision. and these 
had long been a public eyesore. Others, howexer, were sul)st;mti;d and modern 
brick wholesale warehouses. The firms occupying these took- adxanlage r,f the 
opportunity to construct new buildings in the ^^'est End, near the new elewated 
tracks^ 

The passenger facilities thus ])ro\idcd have proved ample for the city's 
growth so far. The freight facilities were early outgrown. Track congestions, 
particularly in the winter season, caused great delays in the handling of freight, 
and the railroad companv was repeatedlv put on the defensive and made promise 
of further improvements. Its financial conditions caused these to be delayed until 
the greatly increased business due to war orders resulted in the autumn and 
winter of 1916 in a wholly intolerable freight blockade. As soon as spring came 
construction was startcfl on the new freight yard and sidings which it is antici])ated 
will serve the city for some years to come. 

When the Union Station was Iniilt. space was ]irovided in the upper stories 
for railroad divisional headquarters and the stafT of the Western division was 



96 WATERl'.URY AND THE XAl'CLATUCK VALLEY 

moved here. This lasted for awhile, but in a subsequent reorganization of the 
divisions, the trackage handled from W'aterbury was cut down and the city 
became headquarters of the Highland Division, consisting of the Old Highland 
r)i\ision, the Xaugatuck Division and the Meriden branch. 

TIIK K.VMIFKATIONS OF TIIK TROLLEY 

In i<^93. when the W'aterbury Traction Company, which from its inception 
in iiS82 to that time, had been known as "The Waterbury Horse Railroad," asked 
for permission to change its motive power to electricity, there was a storm of 
protest. 

.\t Hartford, the State Railroad Commission was seriously interfering with 
the beginnings of this new mode of street travel. In fact, in its early reports, 
dated during this formative period, it absolutely refused to grant any electric 
road the right to cross the tracks of a steam road. 

The W'aterbury Traction Company, however, submitted to the mayor and 
the Court of Common Council of W'aterbury its ]jlan for changing the motive 
power, and a committee of the Court of Common Council submitted a report 
recommending the granting of the application upon certain terms and conditions, 
including the following conditions ; 

"Section 6. That said company shall indemnify and save harmless the said 
city from all loss, cost, damage or expense of every kind, nature or description 
by reason of the operation of its cars in the streets of said city arising or growing 
out of the use of electricity as a motive power. 

"Section 8. That said Waterbury Traction Company shall pay to the City of 
W'aterbury, for the use of said city, in the month of January in each year a sum 
not exceeding two jx-r cent of its gross receipts, to be determined as follows: — 

"The gross receipts for the purpose aforesaid, consist of all fares not exceed- 
ing five cents (and five cents of each and every fare exceeding five cents) and 
tlie City of W'aterbury at some time during the month of January in each year 
shall examine the books of said comijany and thus ascertain and determine such 
gross recei])ts. 

"When and after such time as the net earnings of said company shall exceed 
the sum of six ])er cent on the capital actually invested in said company, in stocks 
or bonds, or both, said company shall pay to said city such excess to the amount 
of two per cent in the same manner aforesaid. 

"If at any time hereafter the statute laws of this state shall make said 
company liable to local taxation, the provisions of this section shall be null and 
void during such time as said company shall be liable to local taxation and no 
]Kirt of said receipts shall be paid to said city during such time by reason of 
anything herein contained." 

This permit is quoted in some detail here, as it later became an important 
issue in the city's contest for the collection of its two per cent of earnings. 

The capital of the new company was placed at $i,ooo,000. This stock 
increase prepared the way for the absorption of the Connecticut Electric Company 
and for the control of the electric lighting of the city. 

The power house for the new company was built on Piank Street, as an 
extension of the old electric station. Work began March i, i8t>4. The first five 
electric cars were run July 28, i8()4, from the Center to Naugatuck. The West 
Afain .Street line was opened with electric power August 3, 1894, the East Main 
Street line on August 22d, and the North Main Street line on September 1st. 

The first report of the street railway companies in Connecticut to the State 








I I >P 8 ^ ^ 




w A■|■|■:l;li|■|:^ rxKix staikin ami \n'i;i).\( iii> i ikim i,ii;i;.\i;\ I'ai;k 



WATERHL-RY AXD Tlli'. XAL'i.ATUCK VALLEY 'M 

Railroail Cuniniission was made in 18(^5. At thai time there were in ruund 
nuniljers 300 miles of street railways within the state, with a stock and 
ijonded debt of $17,700,000, gross earnings of $2,200,000, operating expenses 
of $1,500,000, paying taxes amounting to $7'), 500, carrying 38,000,000 passengers, 
with 250 accidents to persons, 12 of which were fatal. 

In 1910 there were 921 miles, with a reported capitalization and debt of 
$7y,ocx),ooo, gross earnings over $8,000,000, operating expenses nearly $5,ix)0.ooo, 
taxes $452,000, ])assengers carried 151,000,000, with 2,278 casualties tcj persons, 
397 of which were fatal. This gives sonie conception of the tremendous growth 
of the triilley transportation in its I'prst acti\e fifteen years. 

In ii)i() the total mileage of single tr.ick road in Connecticut was 1.543.8. 
The total assets of all the street car lines in the state had reached on |une 30. 
1910. a total of $115,737,721.36. 'rhc |>a>senger re\enue for the year ending 
June 30, 1916, was $i5,336,i6f>.4i. with a net ci]x-ratiiig revenue of $5,841,512.05; 
taxes to the state for the period. Sw7 1.753. 53- 

The first officers of the W'aterhury Tr.ictiun (ompanN- were: 1). S. Plume, 
president; J. E. Sewell. general man;igi-r; I. R. .Smith, treasurer: .\. .\1. ^'oung. 
secretary. 

In the year ended .September 30. l8(;5. the road earned .$1 24.5()().()2. and 
expended $75,948.64. gi\ing it net earnings nf $48,618.28. It owneil eighteen 
closed cars and twenty-six open cars, eight i>f the latter trailers. Its length was 
V). 15 miles. 

( )n .September 30. iScjd. it reported earnings for the vear .Si37,273.Ih), ;md 
expenses $64,994.91. The electric light department's income for that year was 
$105,661.38. The road had seventy-five employees. It was selling tickets at 
four cents and ticket fares to Xaugatuck at eight cents: school children wen- 
carried for three cents. 

In l8()7 it added the \\'aler\ ille di\isi(iii ami nwned 12. iS mile.^ of single 
main track. 

V>y 1899, the trolley business had cunie under the closer obser\ation of the 
larger interests of the country and erne nf their first purchases was the Waterhurv 
.and .\orwalk systems. In June. i8()i). the transfer was officially made to wdiat 
was then known as the Connecticut Lighting and Lower Company. Its president 
was R. .\. Smith of Xew \'ork. Its directors were R. -\. .Smith and W. F. 
Sheehan nf .Xew ^'ork. LI. C. Runkle of I'duomfield. .X. J.. .\. M. Young of 
Branford. Conn., and L. II. llampsnn nf Unidklyn. ,X. ^'. Thus the Waterbury 
traction system passed out of local control in i8()i). The company wdiich made 
the purchase had been first incorporated on |ul\' 2. i8i:)5, as the Gas Supply 
Company. ( )n Xovember 2. 1899. it changed its name to the Connecticut Lighting 
;ind Lower Company, and on January 10. iix>i. the name was again changed to 
the Connecticut Railwa}' and Lighting Conijjany. 

in ii)02 this company began its fight for control of the (.'onnecticut lleld with 
the Xew N'ork. New Haven & Hartford Railroad Comi)an\-, which under the 
name of the Consolidated Comp.any. was starting on its long line of trolle\- 
purchases. In that year the Connecticut Railway and Lighting ComiKiny i)nr- 
chased in adilition to the \\'ater])ury Tr.'iction Company, the Bridgeport Traction 
Comijany. tlu' Shelton Street Railway Company, the Milford Street Raihva\- 
Company, the W'estport and Saugatuck Street Railway Companv. the Oerby 
.Street Railway Company, the Xorwa.lk Tramway Companv. the Xf)rwalk .Street 
Railway Company, the Central Rrailway &' Electric Comi^am-. the ( irrenwii-ji 
Cias & Electric Lighting Com])aiiy, the .Xaugatuc]< bdectric Light l/oiiipaii\'. and 
the .Southington i!v: Plantsville Tramway Company. 



98 WATERBURY AND THE XAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Its lirsl contest with the City of Waterbury came during this period when it 
apphed to the selectmen for an approval of the extension from Oakville to 
VVatertown. The consent was given, but with it a proviso demanding the 
■'remo\al of all embankments and abutments now situated on the highway under 
the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railway; the erection of electric arc 
lights at those points, and the construction of a new and substantial iron bridge." 

This became a famous contest, in which the city was defeated, first of all 
by the decision of the state railroad commissioners, and finally in an adverse 
decision by the Sujjremc Court on an appeal by the company from a favorable 
decision in the lower courts. 

In 1902, the directors of the company were as follows: .\. M. ^'oung, 
Rranford. Conn. ; R. A. Smith, New York City ; George E. Terry, Waterbury ; 
Randall Morgan and Walton Clark, both of Philadelphia; TI. G. Runkle, Plain- 
field, N. J.; David S. Plume, Waterbury; W. G. Bryan, ^\■aterlmry : .\. W. 
Paige, Bridgeport, and M. J. Warner, Branford, Conn. 

Beginning with 1902 reports were consf)lidatc(i for its entire single main 
track length of 151.720 miles. 

In 1904 the road from Waterbury to Cheshire and Mount Carmel was com- 
pleted and the mileage in Waterbury was also slightly extended. The work on 
the Baldwin .Street line began in this year. 

On August I, 1906, the entire holdings of the Connecticut Railway & Lighting 
Company were leased to the Consolidated Company, thus passing into the pos- 
session of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railway. .At this time the 
total length of main track in Connecticut w'as 625.307 miles. Of this the two 
companies now consolidated controlled 440.419 miles. 

The Connecticut Railway & Lighting Company owns 170.987 miles of single 
track in Connecticut which is leased to and o])erated by the Connecticut Company 
under a sub-lease dated February 28, 1910, from the Consolidated Railway 
Company, by the provisions of which the Connecticut Company assumes all the 
obligations and undertakings as to street railways assumed by the Consolidated 
Railway Company under its lease of December ig, 1906. from the Connecticut 
Railway & Lighting Company. Both the original and the sub-lease expire 
August I, 2005, the rent paid by the Connecticut Company being $1,049,563.50 
for the year. The lessee received all the income and profits from the leased 
premises and in consideration thereof pays the rental" and taxes and maintains 
the property in good order and repair. 

Two lines which were under construction in 11306, the Waterville and Thomas- 
ton line, and the Oakville and Watertown line, were completed in 1907 and became 
part of the new system. 

On December 19, 1910, the company started to extend the line to Town Plot 
from the junction of Bank and James streets, and in 191 2 it 0])ened the loop 
through Meadow Street passing the Union Station. 

In October, 1914, after the drastic action by the Government, the company 
and the Department of Justice agreed that the trolley properties among other 
holdings should be put into the hands of trustees for management and sale at 
the proper time. Under this and a previous order of court, the profits of the 
Connecticut Company are turned over to the New York, New- Haven & Hartford 
in repayment for expenditures made out of its funds or as profits accruing from 
the trust holdings. 

In March, 1915, the dissolution had ])roceeded far enough so that the 
directors of the New York, New Haven & Hartford were able to inform the 
Public Service Commission of Connecticut, Massachu.setts and Rhode Island, 



\VATERl'.l'KV A.\T) Till': XAf( iATUCK \ALLEY 99 

that in conipliance with the ilecrcc (if the iuderal L'oiirt, cemtrol uf the I'loslon 
& Maine, tiie Rhode Klaml ami ( Hiiiu-ctictit trnUev hne^ liail already heen placed 
in the hands of trustee^. 

It was stated liy President ll.iillev of ^'ale, when tirst niaile a director of 
the New York, New lla\en \- 1 lartford Railroad, that the company had expended 
aiijiroxiniately ninety million dollars in the nurch.'ise of trollevs (hiring; the decaile 
ended in li)!^. "As for the trolle\s .iliout which sd much has heen said in 
criticism, there was except in the Rhode Island and Berkshire enterprises, little 
that could be called recklessness." 

One of the most notalile trials in the hist<iry of the country t;re\v out of the 
( lovernment's charge that the directors of the New ^'ork. New- ] la\en \- 1 lartford 
had conspired to monopolize the comnmn carrier transportation of New l-.n^^land 
by acquiring and combining steam railroad, trulley lines and steamshi]) companies. 
Idle trial lasted three months, ending jainiarv ii. imiO. in an acquittal of most of 
the defendant directors, and in a few inst.ances in ;i disagreement. The tri.al is s.aid 
to liave cost the Government $20li,cx)0, and the defendant $373.(hi(). 

Howard Elliott, now chairman of the lioard of directors, in ;i recent address 
at Norwich said that "there is enough wihie in the great termin.als to offset losses 
that may be sustained in selling certain of its properties undi-r the decree of the 
Federal Court." 

In October, 1914, the I'nited .'Stales District ( 'oin-t for the Southern District 
of New York jilaced the trolley system id" Connecticut in the h.uids of live 
trustees, with an order to dispose of these |iroperties in two years, dhis time has 
now been further extended. 

The present trustees are as follows : 

Walter C. Noyes, New York, chairmati; Charles Chenew South Manchester; 
Leonard M. Daggett. New Haven; Morg.m 11. I'.raiiiard. Hartford; Lharles T. 
-Sanford, Bridgeport. 

For the year 1917, tlie trustees ha\e deemed it w ise to <leclai-e no di\ idend. 

Waterbury, in August, 11)15, after defeat in the courts in its fight to collect 
the 2 per cent under the old written agreement with the Waterbury Traction 
Conqiany. settled the case on the payment to the city of a lump sum of $75,000. 

In July, 1917, the company announced that it would no longer sell trolley 
tickets at 4 cents on its Waterbury lines, .-md later that on October i, 11117, it 
would charge on all its lines (1 cents wb.ere cash fares of 5 cents had bet'ii collected 
previously. The effort to stop this by injunctii.in failed, as there never had Iieen 
a written agreement on rates, and the new f.ares are now in effect, although 
hearings are being held Ijefore the I'ublic LUilities Board as to the right of the 
company to raise the rate. 

In 1899 a corporation known as the Woodlmry i\; Southburv Electric Uailway 
Company endeavored to secure the right to use the city streets for the ojieration 
of an electric line to suburban points, but this was never pressed to any nractical 
enrl. It was, however, the occasion of a long contest with the existitig trolley 
system. 

The trolley connection to Woodbury was not sectired until IQ08, wb.en the 
line was run via Middlebury and past Lake (Juassapaug, making this a great 
j)Dpular summer resort. For years the talk had been that the line to Woodlmry 
would run through Watertown. 

Various plans to connect the ternn'nus of the Watertown trolley line with 
Litchfield and Thomaston have been mooted, but never reached the practical stage. 

In 1916, the company completed and opened what is popularly known as 
the Chase trolley line, proceeding from North Main Street to Water\-ille via 



100 WATERCURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \AELEY 

Perkins Aveiuie and connecting? the North Main Street plants of the Chase inter- 
ests with the railroad tracks at Waterville and the Chase Metal Works north of 
Waterville. 

Tiiic "c;reen" line 

In 1913, a small group of W'aterbury and Soiithington men started the W'ater- 
liury and .Milldale Tramway Company, better known as the "Green" line. This 
])roject had been under way for more than seven years, having originated among 
the business men of the Town of Southington, who desired closer connections 
with W'aterbury. C. H. Clark, the bolt manufacturer of Southington, was the 
mainspring behind the project. .\n appeal being made to the W'aterbury Business 
Men's .Association for co-operation, several of the officers and directors of the 
association joined in the petition for the charter. .Among them were John R. 
Hughes and John H. Cassidy. who was at that time secretary and counsel of the 
business men's association. They are still directors of the comjiany and Mr. 
.Cassidy is its managing director. 

The work proceeded slowly owing to the difficulties of construction and of 
securing cajjital, but finally the line was operated first to Mill Plain, then extended 
to Hitchcock Lakes, thus making another agreeable summer resort for W'aterbury 
people, and finally to Milldale. making connections there with the Connecticut 
Company's lines to .Meriden and Southington. By a traffic agreement the "Green" 
line uses the Connecticut Company's tracks in this city from the corner of East 
Main Street and the Meriden Road to the Center. 

The line extends from W'atcrlniry to Milldale. a distance of S;/. miles, and now 
operates si.x cars. 

Its general manager is John II. Cassidx . and its directors are: Charles H. 
Clark, Roswcll A. Clark, Richard Elliott. John R. Hughes, and John H. Cassidy. 

E.\ I'RKS's COM P.\ N I ES 

The two comijanies operating in W'aterbury under traffic arrangements with 
the New York, New Haven & Hartford System are the Adams Express Company 
and the .American Ex])ress Compan>, botli with offices and warehousing arrange- 
ments in the Union Station. 

The business of these companies after the introduction of the parcel post 
was run at first at a heavy loss, amounting in 1913 for the Adams in the State 
of Connecticut to $204,598.88, and for the .American for the same ])criod in the 
state to $281,892.44. 

There has now been a complete rehabilitation and adjustment to new condi- 
tions, and both companies are doing a profitable business in W'aterbury. 

The trolley express, established in i8</j. is one of the activities of the 
Connecticut Company. 

tei.e(;k.\ph com p.\nies 

The two telegraph companies, the W^estern Union and the Postal Telegraph, 
have confined themselves during the past twenty-five years to keeping up with 
the growth of W'aterbury. In the past three years alone the telegraph business 
in tills city has doubled. The Western Union now has 120 wires, including 
trunk lines, running out of its W'aterbury offices, while in 1893 '' 'I'l'^l 'JUt three. 
It now employs fourteen clerks and operators, where three men did all the work 



W ATl'.kULin' AND llll-; XAL(,\rr( K \ AI.I.I'A 1i)1 

in 1S1V3. lis miist fanluu^ nian:i,i;fr durins^- tlii> |)(_-rii)(l was W. A. Sawyer, who 
is now district commercial superintendent with liead([uarters in Xew ^'ork. The 
present superintendent is A. C. VVardell. 

The P'ostal Telegraph Company has shown a >iniilar growth. At the ])egin- 
ning of the l\\enty-li\e year jx'riod. it had liut two uire>; now it ha'- twent\-five 
wires running out <if the city. Jts growth. t(jcj, has been continuou.^. Its ])resent 
manager is Margaret M. llunter. 

•rnt: 1 la.ia'iioNi-: i.\ i o.nnici in rr 

Tt is now. at the end of 1917. forty \ears ^ince tin- telepliDne wa-. first com- 
mei'i'iallv introduced into L'onneciicut on a then large scale. ."^^ince that lime 
tremendous expansion of the ^er\ice h.as placed the telephone ni the forefront of 
the most servicealjle onlilic utilities, l-roni the little t \cli iiigc established in the 
City of New Haven in January. 1S7S, the busint-ss has grown with rapiditv. until 
at the present time it is almost impossible to enter e\en the most ri'mote 
farming communities, or sparsely settled districts in the slate, without tiiKh'ng a 
tele])hone hand\' in the event it is needed. 

I'ioneers in the telephone service in ( nnnecticut agree that what were prob.ilih- 
the first telephones brought into this state maile their appearance in the ('it\ of 
liridgeport in the latter jiart ni June. iJ'vJ. Fhese inslruments were lirought to 
that city for demonstration purp<ises. as the incident is reUK niliered and were 
presented to the directors of the ll.irtford .M.irni Kegislci- ('ompanw with which 
Thomas P.. DooHttle of I'ine < )rchard. .1 ]iioneer tele]>hone m,an and fatuous as the 
in\'entor of hard drawn copper wire, w.is identified. 

Mr. Doolittle was jiresent at the meeting of the directors of the Register Com- 
pany when these telejihones. fdur in innnljer, were shnwn tn the directdi's. Me 
borrowed two of these old-time telephone sets .and showed them to a number 
of his business friends in r.ridge]iort dinang the ne.xt few davs. .\t that time the 
study of telegraphy was quite .1 fad among men i)f .m in\enti\e turn of mind 
and several of them. li\dng in r.ridge|i(jrt. were membei's of what w.is called the 
Bridgeport .Social Telegra|ih .Vssuciation. \'>\ means of ibis associ.atiim. when 
one luember wislu'il to call another, he wdttld snund that member's call and sign 
his own. The operatiir. bearing this, would so .adjust the plugs in the switchlioard 
that a connecting line was estal.ilished between the calling .and the called st.alions. 
In this way telegrajjliic communication could be established in much the same wax- 
as a telephone connection is mafle today. 

lirief experiments were carried on by members of the .Scicial Telegraph Asso- 
ciation with the old telephone sets and it was ])roved that the tele|)hone could l.)e 
used on this system. The association, through its members, at once ado|jted the 
telephone in place of the telegraph. 

.\t this time tests were made from \arious stations in the association's service 
and conversations were sucessfully carried on as far out as Black Rock, about 
four miles from the operator's switchboard. All interest in the telegraph system 
was lost and Mr. Doolittle at once liegan soliciting subscribers for a telephone 
system. P. T. P.arrnim. of circus fame, was the first subscriber signed bv Mr. 
Doolittle. 

A company had lieen formed in New England to lease instruments and plans 
were being made for using them at various jKiints. W. H. Haywood, wdio was 
secretary of the Hartford Register Company, ap])plied for and secured the 
agency of the telephone in Fairfield and New Haven counties. Cater Mr. Hav- 
wood secured the agency for Hartford and Litchfield counties. 



102 WATKRBL'RY AND THE NAUGATUCK \^ALLEY 

With the ik'velopnient of the association's service in Bridgeport promising 
well. Mr. DooHttle went to New Haven with the object of interesting capital 
in that city in the project of establishing a similar association there. It was 
through Mr. Doolittle's efforts that the New Haven District Tele])hone Company 
was ft)rnie(l and the preliminaries to the opening of the first commercially oper- 
ated telephone exchange were carried out. But, telephone history shows, Mr. 
Doolittle was left out of this business arrangement. 

David S. I'lume of W'aterbury played a prominent part in the advancement of 
telephony in this state. He was a close friend of Mr. Doolittle and had often 
tried to persuade the latter to devote his attention to manufacturing rather 
than to the development of the telephone, which was not then regarded as a safe 
anil sound business enterprise. Finally Mr. Plume .sensed the great possibilities 
of the telephone and provided financial backing for some of the work Mr. Doolittle 
then had in mind. 

In November, 1)^77. a telephone line was built connecting the mill and offices 
of the Ansonia Brass and Copper Company. These works adjoined those of 
Wallace & Sons, who were also manufacturers of co])per wire. Mr. Doolittle 
was associated with this enterprise and it was in this work that he ac(|uired 
his knowledge of wire drawing which led, some time later, to his invention of 
hard drawn copper wire which made possible the modern long distance telephone 
service. 

At this time Mr. Doolittle was getting along well in the plans for an exchange 
in I'ridgeport. Then the Western Union Telegra])h Company entered the tele- 
phone field and seemed to direct all its energies toward upsetting Mr. Doolittle's 
business plans in that city. It is reliably recorded that Mr. Doolittle was beset 
by many difficulties, financial and otherwise, in his efforts to put through his 
])lans. One hard blow at Mr. Doolittle came through William D. P)i,shop of 
r.ridgeport, then president of the Xew Haven Railroad. He ordered all of the 
telci)hones furnished by Mr. Doolittle taken out of the railroad, steamboat and 
express offices. Mr. Bishop, by the way, was a member of the board of directors 
of the Western Union Telegraph Company at that time. 

The first commercial telephone exchange in the world was opened in New 
Haven, January 2S, 1878, and the switchboard was located in the Boardman 
Building, still standing at State and Chapel streets. A little later an exchange 
was opened in Meriden and the switchboard used there was supposed to be an 
exact duplicate of the one used in New Haven. By February 28, 1878, the ex- 
change in New Haven had grown so that there were fifty subscriliers connected 
therewith and a list of these subscribers was ]ireparc(l and ])rinte<l, this being the 
first tele])hone directory in the world. 

The early exchanges were naturally far different from the marvelously 
et|uip]jed central offices of the present day. The apparatus was crude and the boy 
operators not only were untrained, but the quality of their work was lowered by 
their desire to experiment with the apparatus which was a great novelty to them. 

With the New Ha\en and the Meriden exchanges o])crating successfully, the 
Bridgeport exchange was soon opened by Mr. Doolittle. Ellis B. Baker, for 
many years with the Southern New England Telephone Company, was the man 
chiefly instrumental in establishing the exchange at Meriden. .At that time Mr. 
Baker was but twenty-four years of age. 

With these three exchanges finally established and with telephony recognized 
as a modem aid to all business enterprises, it was not long before an exchange was 
established and in working order in the City of ^^'aterbury. This was the period 
of telephone infancy, to he sure, but for an infant it displayed remarkable 



W ATl'.Rr.LRV AND THE XAUCATL'CK \■ALLE^• 103 

facilities for inTi\inir its real service to the ]ieii])le, in consequence of which, 
exchanges were within a few years oijenecl in i)ractically all of tlie larger cities of 
the state. Today every city, town, village and hamlet and the obscure places in 
the backwCKxls of this and every other state are now accorded, telephone service. 

The tirst ^\"aterI)ury office was located in a Imilding in Thoenix .Avenue, the 
second home Ix-ing in a Imilding in Xorth Main Street. l'"riini there the Waterbury 
office was moved to the old site of the Manufacturers' Xational I'.ank and then to 
the .Masonic liuilding in Bank Street. Later the office was located at 2X_> Dank 
Street, this being the first central office building the .Snuthern New England 
Coni])any biult in W'.iterbury. It moved into its new building on Leavenworth 
Street in [i)i4- 

I'Vom a short list of suliscribers. 4(iS im September i. 1X1)4, the W'aterliury 
office is now ser\ing about S.ono telephones in Waterbury. which is jiractically 
one telei)hone for every twehe persons in the city. Li the p.ist eighteen months 
the growth of business at the \\"att'rbur\- excb.inge h,is lieen remarkably heavy. 
The numl.ier of local calls originating in \\';iter1iur\- is sh(_iwn bv the ]ieg count for 
October, 1017. to be 41.000 ;i day. The nutgoing toll calls average about 1,500 
each day. This shows an hourly rate of ahoiu i,X<k) calls e\erv hour each of the 
twenty-four hours. It must be borne in mind, h(iwe\er. tli.it during the night this 
rate is far from being reached, while in the rush hours of a business dav, when 
tlie tr.ifiic load is the heaviest, the himrly rate of calls is far in excess of 1,800. 

The number of telephones in Waterbury has increaseil more than 1,500 in the 
past eighteen months and the outliHjk is fcjr ,a coiuinu.itii.n nf this hi'.avv demand 
for service at this e.xchangc. 

.\ model and mmlern centr.il oflice, ei|iupped willi the verv last word in 
switchboard appar.atus and with nearly doulile the number of telephone operators 
employed there two years ago, has been built and occupied. It has taxed the 
facilities of the company to meet satisfactorilv the senice demands in Waterbury. 
and that this h,is been dune is a forceful teslininnial to the wise forethought of 
the directing heads of the teleiihone c(impan\'. 

The process of placing telephone wires umlerground in iron conduits lined 
wdth cement and laid on cement began in W,iterbur\- in 1X04. 

The following is the record of total ti-le]ilione installations .September i. 1017. 
in what is known as the W'atcrbur}- district : 

t'anaan 457 

Cornwall 166 

Lakeville 421 

Litchfield ■]},■] 

Naugatuck 1,308 

Norfolk 349 

Thoniaston 479 

Torrington 2,161 

Waterbury 8,163 

Watertown 517 

Winsted '. T ,507 

Total '6,445 

OF.ORiac wEi.i.s riE,\ctr 

(leorge Wells Teach, late president of the ^fanufacturers' National Tuink, ex- 
snperintendent of the Naugatuck Tvailroad. [iresident of the S. A'. Teach Paper 



104 \\.\ti-:ri!L'RY and the naugatl'ck vali;f,y 

Company, of llie Manufacturers' Foundry Company, and in many other capacities, 
one of the foremost citizens of Waterbury, was born in tiumphreysville (now 
Seymour), New Haven County, Connecticut, August i8, 1833. 

At seventeen he became a railroad clerk in the Seymour ofSce of the company 
and it was soon proved that he was to succeed in the railroad business. The fol- 
lowing year, 1851, he was promoted to the position of second clerk in the Water- 
bury ofifice. From time to time he was sent to diflerent posts, where there was 
special need of a responsible person, and in this way he gained wide experience 
with railroad work. In 1855 he was made agent in the Xaugatuck Station, in 1857 
a conductor, and was also put in charge of the general ticket agency. In 1861 he 
became the agent at Waterbury and remained in this ofifice for several years. .A.t 
the death of Charles Waterbury, in 1868, Mr. P>each was made superintendent in 
his place. I'Vom 1868 to 1887 he was superintendent of the Naugatuck Railroad, 
and, on the lease of that road, in 1887, to the New York, New Haven & Hartford 
Road, was appointed division superintendent and filled this resposible position 
continuously until he retired in 1902. .\fter 1880 he was successively director, vice 
president and ])resident of the Manufacturers' National Bank of Waterbury, and 
from 1871 to 1885 he was a director in the Watertown and Waterbury Railroad. 
He was an iiicorjiorator of the ^Vatcrbury Hospital, and one of the executive 
committee for fourteen years, and ])resident of the .American Societv of Railroad 
Superintendents for three years. 

On his retiring in 1902, after sening as su])erintendent of the Naugatuck 
Division, he made a round trip over the railroad, bidding good-bye to the hundreds 
of men who had served under him. all of whom were known to him personally. 

The High Rock Crove summer resort was his idea, and he was the first to use 
kerosene oil for lighting of passenger cars. This was in i860. The valuable 
Arctic rubber shoe was first manufactured upon his suggestion. 

In civil, political and ecclesiastical offices, Mr. Beach was as active as he was 
in his business capacities, often supplying puljiits in case of illness of pastors. He 
was justice, town clerk, a member of the board of education, member of the State 
Legislature (1870-71). postmaster of Waterbury in 1867, a deacon in the First 
Congregational Church of \\'aterbury ( 1873- 1906), a promoter of the Christian 
Commission for the Civil war, and of the Waterbury Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation, of which he was president for four different teritis. He was a member 
of the Waterbury Club. 

Mr. Reach was twice married, in 1855 to Sarah Upson of Seymour, who died 
in January, 18S2, and by whom he had two sons. The senior, Henry D., was the 
signal engineer of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, the junior, 
Edward W.. is a manager of the Manufacturers' Foundry Company of Waterbury. 
The second marriage was in 1883 to Mrs. Sarah A. Blackall. His home was at 29 
ClifT Street, Waterl)ury. He died March 2, 1906. 

When Mr. P)each retired from the New Haven Road in 1902, his position 
as superintendent was taken by J. P. Hopson. C. S. Lake and R. D. Fitzmaurice 
later succeeded to the position, the latter leaving in 1014. when the present super- 
intendent, Mahlon D. IMilkr. was appointed. 

M.MII.OX D. MII.I.KR 

Alahlon D. Miller, at present superintendent of the Highland Division of the 
New "S'ork. New Haven & Hartford Road, with headquarters at Waterbury, was 
born in Pennsylvania and had his first railroading experience in the coal fields of 
that .state. Later he went to the New York &• New England Road, starting as 



\\atI':rl;l"kv and iiik naucatlak \all1';v 105 

telegraph ui)cratur, then heconiing train dispatcher. W ith headquarter^ at Provi- 
dence and New London, lie was later made train dispatcher-in-chief, and train- 
master for the New Haven Road. In June, i<)i4, he was appointed suiierintendent 
with headquarters at Waterlniry. 

.\l1)I;n m . ^ (lUNC 

.\lden i\l. Young, the hrst secretary and general manager of the W'aterhury 
Traction Company, was closely identified with the history of the electric lighting 
and electric railway btisiness of Waterbury. He was associated with IJ. .S. Plume, 
E. T. Turner, and A. O. Shepnrdson in the electric companies wdiich were hrst 
organized in 1888. He remained with the Connecticut Railway & Power Company, 
becoming its president in 1901 and removing to New ^'ork. He was also president 
of the New England Engineering Company of Waterlniry. He was the tirst 
superintendent ami manager of the telephone system in Waterbury, known in its 
beginnings as the Automatic Signal Telegraph Company, which was organized 
May 2, 1878. He was the inventor of an electric battery which did much to revolu- 
tionize the electric business. Mr. 'S'oimg died at his New ^'ork hnnie, December 
3. 1911- 

()Tiii-;r rKoLij:v ,s\sti;.\i m.\n.\(;f,rs 

The lirst manager of the street car system of Waterbury was .\i-thur ( ). .shep- 
ardson, who was closely identified with Mr. Turner, Mr. Plume and Mr. ^'oung in 
all their electric lighting and power enter])rises. He remained as general manager 
until i8i;4. when J. E. .'-^ewell succeeded him. Mr, .Scwell was in charge of the 
jiraclicil end of the traction company's bu.siness until 11/37. when the tirst steps 
for the sale to the Connecticut Railway iK; Pighting Com])any were taken. The 
management then was placed in the hands of j. K. Punderford. who is still \ice 
president and general manager of the trolley system with headquarters at New 
Haven. Mr. Sewell later became man;iger of the Shore Pine trollcvs oper.iting in 
Eastern Connecticut. 

The first superintendent cjf the Waterbury Plorse Car Company was lOdward 
A. Bradley. When the motive |iower was changed, M. E. Stark became suiierin- 
tendent and remained until iSi)(). when the present sujierintendent. Herbert P. 
Whales, was appointed. 

Herbert L. Wales, the present superinten<lent of the trolley system in Water- 
bury, first came to the company in 181)4 as foreman of the re]iair shop. His first 
e.xperience with the trolley was in Portland, Oregon, where he was enijiloyed in 
1889 on the first electric street car line established in that city. In [8<)i he went 
to Denver and was in the em].)loy of the Edison General Com])any. Pater he was 
employed on electric lines in Piosti.in. llangor, Maine, and Windsor. Conn., coming 
to Waterbury in 1894. 

w .\ I l•:Rl:l•|•;^■'s ■nii.i-.rnoNi". .max.xckrs 

W. N. .Sperry became manager of the telephone coiii]ianv in iSiji. when the 
work was still experimental, and it was his skill that brouglit it out of its many 
early troubles. He remained with the company until I(p3. In that year he was 
succeeded by J. D. Veitcli, who remained until ii)io. C. E. Kirkham, who suc- 
ceeded him, was in office Init a few months. W. I'. 1 larper was manager from igio 
to 1913, when his career was suddenly terminated by death in the trolley wreck of 



106 WATF.Rr.URY AXD THE NAUGATUCK \'ALLEY 

that year. R. E. Gerth, who succeeded to the post, remained until July 2, 19 17, 
when the present manager, H. G. Davis, took charge. 

Henry G. Davis, present manager of the Southern New England Telephone 
Company, was born in Hartford in 1885. His first connection with the telephone 
companj- was as contract agent at Hartford in 19 10. He was later made district 
control agent for Hartford, and then became special commercial agent for the 
Hartford and Waterbury districts. On July 2, 1917, he became manager of the 
W'atcrburv office. 



CEIAPTEk \ 111 
THE PROTESTAXT ClIUKCHES OE \VAT1':R1',L"RY, 1892-1917 

THE FIRST tllUKCII TlIK SECOXD. THIRD AND lUXKEU IIILI. ( IILKCII. CdNGRECA- 

TIONAL ITALIAN CONGRI'.CATION AI. — ST. JOHn's AM) TRIXITV ICI'i SH )I'AI, ST, 

I'atl's, \\ati;k\'ille — first m. i;., i,ka( 1:. sr. r\ri.'s. siietii and wist sidi-; nii.i. 

M. E. I'IRST. SECOND AND GRAl i; I'.AI'rlST GERMAN AND SWEDISH EL'riIERAN 

CHURCHES ADVENT CHRISTIAN BUCK's HILL, UM(lt\, WATERVILLE C HAPELS. 

The Pnitt'Stant chnrclies nf Watcrljiiry Ii.t\c kept pare with iht- t^rciwlh iif the 
comiininity during tlie past (|iiarter nf a ccntiir\ . iiK-etiiit,f it^ tmnal ami spiritual 
needs with a strenf^theniiig nf old organizations and an infn^ion of new religious 
hodies. This is true of i)ractically every denomination, .and it applies as well to 
the neighhorhoods where the l.iek of nunihers was met li\ iniion org.ini/.alions. all 
of which are prospering and spreailing the inlluenee of the gospel in tlieii' limited 
circles. 

This sllort period of tinu- has witni'ssid the dedication of srxer.d cif the hirgest 
Protestant churches in the city, including tlu' m.igniru'ent house of worship on 
West Main Street occupied hy the Second Congregational (.'hurch. 'I'his was decli- 
cated in June. dSg'^. In January of tlie same year the Third t ongregation.il 
Church, on Washington A\enue. w.as opened for wursjiip. In 1 UTolier. iiMJ. the 
First r>aptist Church opened its tine house of wurship on (iro\e Street. In the 
re\iew \\hich follows, it will he interesting to note the L'reat numher i<i smaller 
chui'ches which have risen to meet local needs in W'.aterhury, and the territory 
immediately trihutary. The immediate future promises the erection of se\eral 
additional houses of worship, the funds in several instances heing on li.nid and 
awaiting only more faxuralile liuilding conditions. 

rill-: FIRST (.iirRCH. coxgri'.oa rioXAi, 

The iM'rst Church. Congregational, of W'aterhury. which was founded in Di<)i, 
223 years ago, and which is the motlier cliurch to practicalK- all of the surniund- 
ing Congregational churches, has had its notable histor\' written. h\- its late ]iastor. 
Rev. Joseph Anderson. 11 1).. co\ering the perimi u]i to tS()(). l)octor .\nderson 
remained interested in the work of the church until his death, .\ugust 18. lOi*'- 
He resigned the active jiastorate in h'eliruary. i<)05. after fortv vears of service, 
but remained as jxtstor emeritus until his death. During this period his energies 
were largely given to literary work, although he su|>]ilied the puljiit in the absence 
of the jiastor, and took a deep interest in the work of the church, attending ser\ices 
regularly until illness made this impossible. 

.■\mong the many tributes paid the late Doctor .Anderson, the following from 
the eulogy by his successor. Rev. Charles .\. Dinsmore. D. D., gi\es fitting testi- 
mony to the extent of his learning ;md the sco[ic of his activities: "His mind re- 
acted in the presence of nearly every subject of thought. Nothing in hea\en or 
earth seemed uninteresting to hiiiL His eager mind ranged easilv o\er ,an ineredilile 
number of fields of knowledge, — Indian lore, Xew luigland histiir\-. the cutting 

107 



108 WATF.RRURY AXD THE NAUGATL'CK \ALLEY 

of gems, the structure of a sonnet, oriental antiquities, Greek philosophy, the Cal- 
vinistic theology. — upon them all he could converse with precise information and 
lively interest." As a writer. Doctor .\nderson is perhaps most widely known 
through the "Ilistor)' of the Town and City of W'aterhury," of which he wrote so 
great a ])art. 

In i<S(j2 the First Church had a memhership of 427. In .September, igi/, this 
nu'inhcrship was 570. Its pastor is Rev. Charles .\. Dinsmore, D. I)., who suc- 
ceeded Doctor Anderson January 25, 1895. lie cann- ivaiu i'hilli])s Clnux-h, of 
South I'lOston. 

Rev. Charles .\. Dinsmore, D. D.. i)astor of the First Church, Congregational, 
of W'aterhury, is a graduate of Dartmouth, which college honored him in June, 
u)05, with the degree of Doctor of Divinity. .After graduating at the Yale 
Divinity .School, he accepted his first pastorate, at Whitneyville, and then he was 
called to W'illimantic. 

It was in W'illimantic that his success became remarkable. His predecessor as 
pastor of the Congregational Church there, the Rev. S. R. Free, had gradually 
been absorbing the Unitarian principles, which developed in his preaching and 
which caused more or less feeling against him on the ])art of a portion of the con- 
gregation. Two hostile factions immediately s])rang u|> and the church was in a 
dubious condition until Mr. Free publicly embraced Cnitarianism and resigned as 
pastor of the Congregational Church. Not content with this, he immediately 
started a new church, to be conducted in accordance with his new beliefs. With 
him went a considerable portion of those who had formerly been strong members 
of his other church. This blow was a very severe one to the Congregational 
Qiurch, and the governing body was in a dilemma when it decided to extend a 
call to Mr. Dinsmore, who had been doing excellent work in Whitneyville. 

The choice proved to be the best that the church could have made. From the 
lirst there was an increment of interest. New members were quickly added and 
the majority of those who had followed the fortunes (if Mr. I'ree came back into 
the old fold again. 

From Willimantic he was called to the Phillips Congregational Church, of 
South I'lOston, where he remained for ten years. Here he duplicated his success 
in W'illimantic, although he was not confronted with the ap])arently hojxdess con- 
dition encountered in the Connecticut town. 

He is a man of literary note and ability. ha\ing written several books, two on 
Dante having brought him into considerable jirominencc. One is an independent* 
study of the man, the other a le.xt book which is used in Amherst and other col- 
leges. His first book on Dante was published in "The Atlantic" in serial form, 
and attracted widespread attention, being criticised both here and in England. He 
is regarded as one of the most successful and poi)ular interpreters of Dante at the 
present day. 

The most notable event in the history of the church during the i)ast quarter of a 
century was the celebration of its 225th anniver.sary on August 25. 1916. On that 
date it was decided to raise a memorial fund of $iO,CXX), which finally amounted 
to $12,000. This is being devoted to the placing of a memorial window to Dr. 
|osei)h -Anderson, to the erection of tablets in memory of the pastors of the church 
during the last century, and to the rebuilding of the church organ. 

.Another notable anniversary was the centennial of the Sunday school. Mid- 
week Prayer Meeting, and r)enevolent Society of the First Church, which was 
celebrated .April 23. 191 7. It is interesting to note that four of the members 
|>resent at that time were active in the society in 1875. These were Miss Kath- 
erine E. Peck, Miss Katherine .A. Prichard, Miss Emily A. Shannon and Mrs. 
Harriet Rilev. 







--iii1«=lJt^'i: I 




FH.'S'l' i'ii\(,|;i:i..\ I liiXAI. ( 111 KCIl AXl) V. M. C. A. BriLDIXi;, WA'J'IIKIURV 




'T. PltAXCIS XANlKirs ClirKCH AXl) K K( T(.)1!V. W A TKUiain' 



WATl'.Kia'm' AXI) Till', .\AL«.A'ri iK \ ALI.IiV 109 

( )n January _>_>, Kjoj. ii\er unc hundreil nu-mlicrs ornaiiizcd the Men's l.cague 
of the First Church. Mr. t'arl 1-". L'liapin was elected jiresident of the organiza- 
tion in May, lO'/- 

Notable among recent gifts to the Church was the erection hy |. Ihihart llron- 
son of a recreation house on the church grounds. This is f(ir use hy the Camp 
Fire (iirls and the Boy Scouts of the church. 

On January 25. I<)I7. for the tirst time in the history of the old hirst Church, 
women attended the annual meeting of the I'A-clesiastical Societ\' as menihers, join- 
ing with tlie men in passing votes haxing tn ilo with the finances (if the church 
and the election of its (ifhcers. The \\<ird "m.ale" h;id. |i\' \nW of the men been 
stricken from its by-laws. 

The following are the officers of the h'irst Church, elected at the annual meet- 
ing in 1917: Frederick B. Hoadley, its treasurer, h.as held that (.ifficc since i8(iS, 
with the exception of two years, during which time he was absent frum the city. 

Clerk of the church, Ceorge II. Peck. 

Treasurer of the church and treasurer of the weekly nffering. h'rederick B. 
Hoadley. 

Deacons of the church : Frederick B. Hoadley. Alexander l);dlas, Horace G. 
Hoadley, Edgar .S. Lincoln, Edward \V. Goodenough, ( ieorge E. Camp, Arthur 
F. Ells.' AlbJrt I'. Sherwood, Darragh Del.ancey, \V. (iani.ahel Bailey, .\lbert N. 
Colegrove, L'harles Allen Goddard. 

Advisory committee: Charles Allen (ioddard, Miss Katherine Hamilton, Mrs. 
Dudley B. Deming, Mrs. Rowdand Jenner, Mrs. Sanuiel K. Kelsey, Mrs. George 
Ells. Alden Alerrill, Miss Elizabeth "llall. Mrs. Charles R. X'aill. :\irs. R. William 
Hanipson, R. Lester Wilcox. 

Society's committee: Darragh Del.ancey. chairman: (iedrge 1'".. C.amp, lviv\-in 
C. Northrop, Hugh I.. Thomjisun. Herliert ,S. Rowlaml, Henrv A. llo;idley. I'ier- 
son R. Cununing. 

Abbie M. Allyn, assist.ant to the pastor. 

THE si-xoxi> eiifki II. (iiMa;i-:o.\TKiN.\i, 

The Second Church, Congregational, of Waterbury, a daughter of the First 
Church, came into being as the result of action taken by the Ecclesiastical Society 
of the First Church on February 10, 1S51. The jjastors have been as follows: 
Rev. Seagrove W. Magill, D. D.. 1852-1S64: Rev. Elisha Whittlesey, 1864-1870; 
Rev. Edward G. Beckwith, D. D., 1871-1881 : Rev. John Gaylord Davenport, D. D., 
the present pastor emeritus, 18S1-1911; Rev. Robert Elliott Brown. 1911. The 
assistant pastors have lieen Rev. Frank C. Baker, Rev. Frederick M. Hollister, 
Rev. Louis H. Holden, I'll. D., Rev. M. DeWitt Williams, Rev. W. Moreton Owen. 

The first house of worshi]) was on North Main Street, wdiere the Odd Fellows' 
Temple now stands. The present edifice, at the corner of West ALain Street and 
Holmes Avenue, was dedicated June 26. 1893, its cost being ,$160,000. During 
Doctor Davenport's pastorate, the second service was removed from afternoon to 
evening, the communion serxice brought into the fnrenoon, responsive readings 
and other enrichments of the services introduced, individual communion cups 
adopted, and the Christian Endeavor .Society and many other organizations were 
formed. From 1881 to iqii, the membership of the churcli grew from 558 to 
I.147- 

During Mr. llrown's ])astorate. the women's work has been re-org;mized, many 
new societies have been launched, the benevolences increased from $4,000 to .$8,72^ 
in a year, and acousticons have been installed. In the summer of 1917 the audi- 



110 WATF.RnURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

torium was thoroughly rc-decoratcd, and plans were also drawn for a parish house, 
and additions to the building. Over eighty thousand dollars have been subscribed 
towards its cost, the first pledge of $25,000 (conditional upon the securing of 
$75,000 additional) being given by Deacon Aaron A. Benedict. The membership 
January I, 1917, despite the growth of outlying churches, was 1,240. 

During all of the church's history, most efiicient service has been rendered by 
the Ecclesiastical Society ha\ing in charge the current expenses. The Second 
Church, directly and indirectly, has exerted a deep influence for community better- 
ment as well as for world-wide Christianity. Within recent years it has brought 
to the city an extraordinarily strong array of speakers upon civic, economic and 
national issues. At present the church has flourishing organizations for men, 
women, young women, young people, boys and girls, and a progressive Sunday 
school. 

The officers of the church in 1917 are as follows: Pastor emeritus. Rev. John 
G. Davenport, D. D. ; pastor. Rev. Robert E. Brown ; assistant pastor. Rev. W. 
Moreton Owen ; clerk, Roys L. Spencer ; treasurer, J. A. Boyd ; society's clerk, 
G. E. Judd; society's treasurer and collector, A. J. Blakesley ; organist and choir 
director, Harris S. Bartlett. 

Rev. Robert Elliott Brown, ])astor of the .Second Church, Congregational, of 
\\'aterburv% was born in Middleville. Ontario, Canada, on December 17, 1873. He 
was educated in the public schools of Washington, to which State his parents had 
removed. In igoi he graduated from Oberlin College, Ohio, later going to the 
Yale Divinity School, where he took the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. On 
June 23, 1904, he married Miss Mabel A. Millikan, of Chicago, and in the same 
year was ordained a Congregational minister. 

From 1904 to 1910 he was pastor of the l^ilgrim Congregational Church. Fair 
Haven. In December, 1910, he became associate pastor in the Second Church, 
Congregational, of Waterbury, and on April ist, when Doctor Davenport was 
made pastor emeritus, he became pastor of the church. In 1917 his congregation 
granted him a six months' leave of absence for work in France, which task he is 
now fulfilling. 

THE TltlRD CIITRril, CONCRECATIONAI, 

On the evening of F'cbruary 5, 1892. at the prayer meetings of the First and 
Second Congregational churches of Waterbury, a joint committee was appointed 
on the condition and needs of that section of Waterbury known as Brooklyn and 
Town Plot, to advise with Mr. Waters with reference thereto, and to take such 
action "as the committee shall judge expedient." This committee was composed 
of the following: First Church. S. W. Chapman. Gordon Clark, L. G. Day, R. R. 
Stannard, R. C. Partree, William C. Scott, Thomas B. Walker: Second Church, 
1'. G. Bryan. James Callan. Fred Chapman. !•". J. Mix, John Henderson, Jr., Wil- 
liam Morgan, James Stewart. 

On March 28. 1892, at a meeting of the joint committee, "it was voted that a 
temporary chainiian and clerk be appointed, who shall warn a meeting according 
to law, to be held in the basement of the Bank Street Schoolhouse, for the purpose 
of organizing a Third Congregational Church." Rev. F. P. Waters was appointed 
temporary chairman and S. W. Chapman temporary clerk of the proposed meeting. 

At a meeting, held April 2C\ 1892, in the Bank Street Schoolhouse, the follow- 
ing resolution was adopted : 

"That we, the members of the Third Congregational Church of Waterbury. do 
now organize as a corporation under the laws of the State ; that a certificate of our 




SKC/JNl) CONClIKiiATlO.NAL ClUlU'll, \VA'|-|:KI!ri;V 



WATEKDL'KV AND THE NAUGATL'CK \AL1.I-A' HI 

action be duly made and sit^ncd Ijy the officers of this chuicli." At the same meet- 
ing the following building committee was apjjointed : J\ev. !•'. 1'. Waters, |ohn 
Henderson, Jr., James Callan, Mrs. Ida Chapman, IJelle C. Walker. The Third 
("hurch was recognized by other churches at a council duly called. At the annual 
mceling, January 4, 1895, it was voted that the building committee l.)e instructed 
to turn over the church building to the legal committee. 

During the history of llie church, the following pastors have served it; Rev. 
F. P. Waters, November i, ]8yi-July i. 1897: Rev. Charles E. Granger, May i, 
i8y8-I"el)ruary i, 1902; Rev. iienjamin V. Root, March i, 1902- February 21, ii)0(;i; 
Rev. H. deHart Gulick, March i, 1906-ApriI 24. 1908. and Rev. Clay Dent Clumn. 
.April 24, 1908-April 30, 1913. On August 17, 1913. Rev. Leslie H. I'erdriau sup- 
[jlied the i)ulpit. and on .September 14, i<)i3. w.as called to the pastorate. .Mr. 
i'erdriau is still pastor (1917). 

The notable events of the present i);istor,ilc ha\e been the ori^auization of a 
successful Men's Brotherhood, which has pnnided a gathering pl.ace and service 
for the men of the community, both helpful and social. The annu.al baminets have 
been the great events of the church year. 

The Women's Get-Together Club is iloing for llie women of the comnumity 
what the Men's Brotherhood has so well accomplished. 

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the church was celel.iratcd on .\]}ril .2^-2^^. 
1917. The' anniversary address was made by Rew Philip C'. W.alcott of Nauga- 
tuck, on Sunday, A])ril 22d. The general social events followed on Monday. .\|)ril 
23, 1917. The officers of the church for 1917 are as follows; 

Pastor. Rev. Eeslie H. Pcrdriau : clerk. Fred J;ickson; tnasurer. .\rthm- E. 
Edniond ; superintendent of Sunday school, \\ illi.ini UnjuglUnn. 

liUNKER HILL C()N(iRi:(T.\TI(.lXAL rnikcii 

The Bunker Hill Congregational Church has been in existence as a chapel and 
regularly organized church for twenty-five years. It was established by members 
of the older organizations, who felt the need of a church near their homes, in the 
Bunker Hill district. (. )n June 24, 1905. it was estaldished as a separate church 
and took its present name. Its first minister was Rev. Ira T. Hawk, who is now 
cliaplain of the Iowa State Penitentian,-. Re\-. C. W. Fisher succeeded him and 
served his congregation for five years. Rev. Milton Wittier, the jiresent pastor, 
succeeded him. 

The membership of the church is close Ui two hundred and the need of a new 
house of worship has long been a]iparent. The site for this has been selected, 
and as soon as building conditions warrant, a fund already in existence will be 
used for the new edifice. It is probable that the year ii)i8 will see it erected and 
dedicated. 

The officers of the church are as fcillows; Clerk, Eugene Rogers; deacons. 
Messrs. Young, Thomas and Clap]); treasurer, William L. Piatt. 

ITALI.VN COXGREC..\TIOXAL CTIURCII 

Largely through the efiorts of its jiresent pastor. Dr. Pasquale Codella, the 
Italian Congregational Church was organized Deceml)er 6, 1904. Its services 
are held in the Second Congregational Church on Sunday afternoons. The mem- 
bership is now over two hundred, with over one hundred in attendance at the 
Sunday school. Dr. Codella, the pastor, came to America in 1901 and was ordained 
a Congregational minister in 1904. He was born in Calitri, Italy, July i, 1868, and 



112 UATERRURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \ALLEY 

is a graduate of the Salerno Musical College of Italy. The ofticers of the church 
are as follows : 

Clerk, Pietro Dello Russo; treasurer. Rev. Robert E. Brown, D. D. ; superin- 
'enrient of Sunday school, Mrs. I^retta Codella ; organist, Lucy Codella. 

ST. John's episcoi».\l ciu'rcii 

St. John's Episcoi^al Church of Waterbury, established in 1737, is the mother 
church of Trinity Church and of St. Paul's, Waterville, and more recently, Decem- 
ber 17, lyiO, the organizer of All Souls' Church. 

Its influence throughout its long, eventful career has not been confined to its 
own membership, but has been felt in every effort of community uplift which has 
marked the nearly two centuries of its existence. Thus, for example, through its 
present rector, Rev. John N. Lewis, Jr., it established the Waterbury Visiting 
Nurses' Association, now a distinct organization, but in its earlier days sponsored 
entirely by St. John's. 

The present i)arish bouse on Leavenworth Street was erected in the earlv '90s 
of the last century. 

Rev. John X. Lewis, Jr., present rector, came to the church in September, 1900, 
as associate to the Rev. lulmund Rowland, becoming rector in August, 1901. 
Prior to that, he had been curate at St. George's, New York, rector of Grace 
Church, Ilonesdale, Pa., and dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington, Ky. 
The vicar at All Souls' Chapel is Rev. Roscoe C. Hatch. The first assistant to 
Rev. ]ohn X. T-ewis, Jr., was the Rev. Morton A. Rarnes, who left in 1905. Later 
assistants were Rev. lacob .\lberf liiddle. Rev. Rovce R. Miller, and Rev. Charles 
Taber Hall. 

The Diocesan Convention was held in Waterbur}' under the auspices of the 
local Episcopal churches in 1897. In 1892, Rev. Dr. Rowland decided to introduce 
an entire male choir, the so])rano and alto being carried by boys' voices, and all 
the choir uniformly dressed in cassock and collar. Tn Januar)% 1893, ^^^^ parish 
received from H. H. Peck the gift of a chancel organ. This organ, built by Far- 
rand & \' otey, was placed in the north gallery with a console in front of the chan- 
cel, stalls being jilaccd there for the choir. Joseph E. P)artlett, as organist, took 
charge of the music, lie was succeeded by William TL Minor, who is still in 
charge. 

On .April 19, i8<)7. the church property at Waterville was formally conveyed 
to St. Paul's Parish. 

On April 8, 1901, Doctor Rowland was formally elected Pastor Emeritus. 

Nelson Jones Welton, who had been senior warden for twenty-five years, died 
in June, 1917. He was succeeded as senior warden by John P. Elton. 

The vestrymen of St. John's are : H. B. Snow, R. G. Hannegan, W. E. Ful- 
ton, H. S. White, J. M. Burrall, E. O. Goss, H. H. Peck, II. L. Rowland, J. P. 
Kellogg. 1^'. S. Chase, James Crompton, J. E. Kennaugh. 

The other officers for 1917 are as follows: Rector. Rev. J. N. Lewis, Jr.; 
clerk, Charles I". Mitchell: treasurer, Edwin S. Hunt; secretary, Giles R. Ander- 
son; senior warden, John P. l'"lton ; 'organist and choirmaster, W. H. Minor. 

The Rev. F.dmund Rowland, D. D.. fomier rector of St. John's Episcopal 
Church and Rector F.merilus from nx)i to the date of his death, March 22, 1908, 
was born in S])ringfield. Mass., March 24, 1835, and entered Harvard with the 
class of 1857. He later went to Trinity, from which college he graduated. In 
1882 his -Mnia Mater gave him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He studied 
theology under P)ishop Williams in the Berkeley Divinity School, and was or- 
dained to the priesthood in 1862 by Bishop Horatio Potter. 




i;i:\'. F, 1). lii'i Ki.KV 



W A ri-;RI'.L'RY AXI) 11 !F. .\AL'( iATUCK \ALLFA' 113 

He married Miss Sarah JJelknap of Hartford. He was minister in charge of 
tlie American Church in Rome for some time, later returning and becoming rector 
of Bethesda Church, Saratoga Springs, X. \'. He was rector in turn of St. James' 
Church, Goshen, N. ^'., Grace Church, Xew Jleilford, Mass., and from there went 
to Calvary Church, Cincinnati, lie liecame rector of St. John's Parish, Water- 
bury, in 1884. 

Doctor Rowlan<l was first tu suggest the furmation of the Walerhurv Hi)Sjiital 
.Association. He was foremost in .all the gre.it moral mo\ements that gave Water- 
liury its rank among the best cities in the country. 

TiUMTv !-;i'iS( 111' Ai. niLkiii 

Trinitv Church, which wa.s '-et off .is;! p;irish fnmi St. John's h'piscopal Church 
on Trinitv Sunday, 1877, is therefore celebrating its fortieth .-inniNersary this 
\ear. On October 1st this event was gi\-en .added signilicance by the celebration 
of the twenty-fifth anniversary as rector of the incumbent. Rev. Frederick D. 
Buckley, who officiated for the first time in the pulpit of Trinity on ( )cfober t, 
1S02. The Rev. Frederick Da.shiels Buckley was l)orn at iMshkill. X. N'., in 1833. 
He studied theology at the Berkeley Divinity School, was ordained de.in June 1. 
1887, and priest March 23, 1888. He w.as rector of Grace C hurch, Stafiord 
Springs, from 1887 to i88q, and of St. .Xndrew's Church. St. Johnsbury, \'t., 
from 1880 to 1892. 

During his pastorate the clnu'cb h.is grown in nu-inbcrship ahA h.is greatly 
increased its beneficent acti\ities. 

The parish house, which w;is built in hjoo, w;is dedicated by the bishojj of 
the diocese Mav 24, i(')02. In that year also the present rectory, adjoining the 
church, was addeil to the church property. The old rectory- on North Willow 
Street was the probable site of the birthplace of Rev. James Scovill, the first 
resident rector of the Episcopal Church in Waterbur)-. 

On Trinitv Sunday, IQ07, the occasion of the church's thirtieth anniversary, 
an endowment fund of $10,000.00 was raised. This is now over ^26,000.00. 

During the summer of 11114 offensive changes were made in the church. 
These consisted in the construction of an orL;,in chamber on the north side of the 
church and the installing of a new organ. 

.Sidney Webber, the present organist, assumed that position in May, I<)14. 
and organized the first boy choir, which sang for the first time on June 7, 1CJ14. 

.\t the Easter meeting in 1003. Rev. Dr. Francis T. Russell, who from the 
inception of the parish had been closely connected with it, resigned as assistant 
pastor. He died in February, loio. Rev. Dr. Richard B. Micou, the first rector 
of the ])arish, passed away in June, i()i2. 

Trinity Church is rich in its beautiful memorial windows. The last of these to 
be placed is that in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Lamb and their son, 
Richard. The subject of thi^ i^ The .\nnunciation, after Hoftman's jiainting. 

A chancel window in inemor\- of S:iinuel W. Hall was contributed 1)\- the 
ladies of the parish. 

In r()Oi a beautiful memori.al window was uiueiled to the memory of lulward 
Daniel .Steele. 

Societies for carrying on the institutional work of the parish are: .Altar 
Guild, Babies' Branch of Junior .\u\ili.iry. Junior Auxiliary, "S'oung Women's 
Guild, Girls' Calisthenic Club. I'.oys' (/lub, ^^'omen's Missionary Society, St. 
Elizabeth's 1 hiild. Parish Sewing School, P^locution Class, and Sight Singing 
Class. 



114 W ATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

'J'lic officers of the church elected in 1917 arc as follows: Senior warden, 
J. K. Smith; junior warden, H. M. Steele; clerk, C. F. Davis; treasurer, E. H. 
Perr)'; vestrymen, Geo. E. Boyd, Dr. F. E. Castle, F. S. Gorham, E. H. Florn, 
F. L. Nuhn, C. J. Pierpont, R. D. Pierpont, H. S. Root, E. K. Samson, C. 
A. Templcton, G. IL Wayne, F. B. Williams. 

ST. Paul's i;pi.scoi>al chukcii, watervili.e 

About the time the Rev. John M. McCracken became assistant at St. John's 
Ej)iscopal Church, there was a revival of business in W'aterville and the mission 
which had been established in 185 1 gained in members and became quite active 
in its church work. It flourished under his care and a parish hall was built and 
opened. Mr. AlcCracken started a movement to have the mission organized 
into a parish, but resigned before this was accomplished. His successor at St. 
John's, the Rev. H. N. Tragitt, became the first rector of St. Paul's and the 
parish was organized and received into imion with the Diocesan Convention, 
June, 1895. The first wardens were Louis Gates and E. E. Bacon, Harry O. 
Miller being the first elected delegate to convention. During Mr. Tragitt's 
rectorate the Parish Society and Young People's Association were organized, 
both of which societies have contributed in great measure to the develoj^ment of 
the parish and are active in good works at the present time. 

In 189S Mr. Tragitt resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. W. A. Rafter. 
Mr. Rafter stayed only two years. His successor was the Rev. C. W. Bentham. 
For a few years the ))arish languished, and in January, 1902, the bishop sent Mr. 
J. Attwood Stansfield, a student from the General Theological Seminary, to 
assume direction of its afi^airs. The following Easter the parish requested Mr. 
Stansfield to take charge, and when he was ordained he was elected minister-in- 
charge. In April, 1897, the mother ])arish, St. John's, gave a deed of the church 
and lot to St. Paul's. The manufacturing interests of the village have prospered 
and the parish has kept pace with the growth of the village. 

The present rectory was built about five years ago, during the incumbency of 
Rev. Wm. P. Waterbury. In February, 1915, he was suceedcd by Rev. Geo. W. 
Griffith, the present rector. The officials for 1917 are as follows: 

Rector, Rev. George W. Griffith, D. D. ; wardens, Williams -A.. Faber, Homer 
C. Senior: parish clerk, Charles H. Draper; treasurer. Homer C. Senior. 

I'lUST MKTIIODIST I-.l'lSlOPAr. CHURCH or WATERPURV 

One of the most notable events in the recent church history of Waterbury was 
the Centennial celebration of the ]*"irst Methodist E])iscopal Church. This began 
Sunday, Octoljer 17, 191 5, and continued throughout the week. The anniversary 
address was delivered by Rev. Elmer A. Dent, D. D. A notable feature of the 
celebration was the presence of four of its former pastors. 

The history of the church for the past quarter centur}' knits it closelv into 
the great work of Methodism all over the country. It has been especially active 
in its work in missionary fields, its W'oman's Home Mission Society, its Woman's 
Foreign Missionary Society, its Queen Esther Circle and its Ladies' Aid Society 
being classed as the most active among kindred organizations in New England 
The membership of the church April i, 1917, was 1,040. 

Since September 20, 1896, .\riel Chapter of the Epworth League No. 19.025, 
has been a constituent part of the church, with a membershiji approximating 300. 

The Sunday School has grown with the church. On March 26, 1893. this 



\\'ATKRI'.L"RY AXD Till''. XAL'( L\TL'CK \ALLEV llf) 

fjreat branch of tlic lucal cluircli cclclnated its bixticlh anni\ersarv, ami ;i iiutable 
feature of that e\ ent was the ]iresence of one teacher, Mrs. Juha A. I'ritchard, 
and one scholar. Mrs. Jeanette I'owell. the only snrvi\ors of the ori<,dnal or<;an- 
ization. 

During the existence of the Sunday School, now o\'er a century, there li.ave 
been but nine superintendents. Those of the ji.ast twent\--five years were I'red- 
erick (iillmore, Elmer J. r)assford. Whitman W. i'.owers and John -\. (.'oe, Jr. 

At the time the congregation mo\ed into the East Main Street Church, the 
Sunday School numbered 208. TcHlay it is rapidly Hearing the 1,400 mark. This 
includes teachers, officers, scholars. The average attendance is over 50(1. 

The ministers during the past i|uarter of a century were l\e\'. Win. 1 1. I'.arlon, 
iS'()j-_;;; Rev. ( iardner S. h'ldridge. iS(|4-lS()S; I\e\-. I'". Watson 1 l.annon. iSgS- 
i<)Oi ; l\ev. F. P. Tower, moi-oj: Rev. 1*'. ]'.. Stockdale. n)0J-iii03; Re\-. F. 
Uunwell Walter, iQn5-i()0(): Rev. James 1''. Moliues. Kjoo-ioii; Rew Charles E. 
Barto. 1011-1014: Re\-. Walter V.. Thompson. ioi4-]oifi: Rev. A. V . C'am[)l)ell, 
1 1 f^- 

The officers of the church ;it ]iresent ,are: P.astor. Rev. A. F. L'ampbell ; secre- 
tary, William L. \\'oodruff : treasurer, lohn W. I'otter: superintendent of .Simday 
School, John A. Coe, Jr. 

i;K\ri-: m. i:. i ihrc h. wmkrville 

Grace Methoilist l'4)iscopal Church of Water\ille. though small, has been 
classed in recent vears as one of the most ;icti\'e churches in the district. .Since 
its separation froiu the First M. !'.. Church in iSSj. it has organized activities 
along the sjilendid lines of the mother clnu'ch and has contributed liberrdly to 
all Methodist activities. 

This vear it mourns the death of Rev. J. J. ^fott'att. who was its first pastor, 
and who later again served the congregation. 

In 1806 the Sundav School addition and the ]iresent parsonage were erected. 
In iqoo, during the pastorate of the Rev. ( >tto P.rand. now tield secretary of 
the Methodist Hospital in Prooklvn. the entire church indebtedness was wi]ied 
out. In 1012 the lanrl at the rear of the present house of worship was donated 
and will be used later for additional church buiklings. 

At present its memlier>hi|) is 113. with nearly an ei|ual attendance at Sumlay 
School. 

The iiastors of (^racc Church in the piast quarter centurv have been Rev. A. 11. 
White, Rev. N. W. Wilder, Rev. W. J. Jndd. Rev. A. E^ Hubbard. Rev. H. O. 
Trinkus, Rev. J. J. Moffatt, Rev. 1'. 'e." P.uckwalter. Rev. N. E. Ilonald. Rev. 
Otto P>rand, Rev. Samuel Johnson, Rev. F". S. Pelden, and the present incumbent. 
Rev. Ceo. W. .Servis. who began his pastorate in August. iQiO. 

The |)resent officers of the church are: Pastor. Rev, Geo. W . Servis: secre- 
t:iry. b". ^\'. Wightman ; treasurer, James Clift: superintendent of Sunday School, 
Rov Ferris. 

ST. p.m'l's MirnioinsT i:riscoi'.\L cnuRcii 

St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church. 101 East Farm Street, celebrated 
its twenty-fifth anniversary in loi.V In Kjn the Sunday School, which bad been 
organized two years ])rior to the establishment of the church, celebr.ateil its 
(juarter centennial. 

C^n .April i. lOi". the niembershi]) was ^:i,y2. It^ ]iresent pastor, Rew Charles 



116 \\ati:ri;i'Rv and the naugatlxk \alley 

E. Benedict, came to the church in April, 1915, succeeding Rev. A. J. Smith, dur- 
ing whose pastorate the new pipe organ was installed. Other pastors of the last 
quarter century are Rev. Geo. A. Brunson, Rev. E. D. Bassett, who was with the 
church seven years, Rev. C. Lepley, and the Rev. J. P. Wagner, who died during 
the present year. 

The new parsonage ne.\t to the church on East Farm Street was erected during 
the last decade. 

The present officers of the church are as follows: I'astor. Rev. Charles E. 
Benedict; secretary, Elmer L. Hough; treasurer, .Albert J. Smith; s^uperintendent 
of Sunday School, Robert Buik. 

SOl'TII M. 1;. .\.\D VVKST .SID1-; HII.I. CH URCII i:S 

The South M. E. Church, at 1338 Baldwin Street, had on April i, 1917, a 
membership of 213, but this has been slightly reduced during the year by the 
establishment of a sister church, the West Side Hill, of which the need has long 
been ai)parent. For some time Rev. R. F. Shinn has been in charge of a mission 
at that point, which now has developed into a separate church, with Rev. R. F. 
-Shinn as its first pastor. It has taken over the mission property. 

The Rev. W. J. .A.shforth is the pastor of the South AI. E. Church. Other 
officers of this church for the year 1917 are as follows: Recording secretary, 
William A. Houston ; financial secretary. W^alter A. Rose ; treasurer and Sunday 
School superintendent, Myron Hutch, 

ArocNT OLIVE A. ^r, I-:, ziox church or w.meriu'Rv 

In 1904 Mount Olive .\. M. E, Zion Church celebrated the quarter century 
of its establishment, with the building of its new church at 86 Pearl Street. Its 
membership has shown a steady growth, being close to 150 in 191 7, with a Sunday 
.School attendance of about 140. 

The church has taken a prominent i)art in the national work of the African 
Methodist Episcopal denomination. This has been particularly true during the 
present pastorate, that of the Rev. J, W, McDonald, now going on its fourth year, 
and of his predecessors, the Revs. J. S. Cole, H. M, Mickings, Calvin S. Whitted, 
Fisher and McCallum, 

The officers of the church in \()\j ;irc : I'astor, J. W, ^McDonald ; .secretary, 
Willis W, Holland; treasurer, R. 1., Brinkley. 

FIRST n.M'TIST CIICRCH OF WATERIU'RV 

Two events of transcendent importance in the history of the First Baptist 
Church of \\'aterbur}' during the past twenty-five years are, first, its centennial 
celebration in 1904, and, second, the dedication in the fall of 1917 of its mag- 
nificent new church building, at the corner of Grove Street and Central .Avenue, 
which has just been completed. 

The centennial celebration began November i. 11)04, on which day the 
sermons. l)Oth morning and evening, were delivered by the ])astor. Rev. Oscar 
Haywood. D, D. On Monday. November 2d. the joint meeting of the Baptist 
Ministers' Conference of New Haven and Hartford, and the Protestant Mini.sters' 
Club of Waterbury were held. 

In the evening of that day a memorable address on "'The Best Way of \ an- 
quishing" was delivered by the Rev. Wayland Hoyt. D. D., LL. D., of Phila- 



\\■AT]■;Rl;^K'^' wd riii', xal'i.a ritK \ alli{v 117 

delpliia, before the Society (if (liristian luuleaxcir. ( )n 'I'uesilay. Wimian's Day, 
Doctor Hoyt spoke on "S(jul Worshiji." 

Wednesday was Missionary Day. willi llu- ad(l^e^^ liv Kc\. Allien Arnold 
Bennett, D. D., of Japan. 

On Thursday, Old Home Day, an address was delivered by l\e\-. J'. G. 
Wightman and the First Church took part for the first time in the conference of 
the Centennial Churches of the New Haven Association. This conference com- 
prised, in adthtion to Waterbury, Meridcii, 17S6; ]\Iiddletown, 1705; Soutliington, 
i~:?S; Cromwell, uSoj ; Clinton. 1797: Winthrop, 1744, and Wallingford, 1790. 

Later in the day addresses were deli\ered ]i\ I'lof. I). ( i. I'ortcr and Re\-. 
T. .\. T. Hanna. 

It was in 1897 that the women of the church began the great ucirk of co- 
ordinating their denominational labors. The wonu-n of the i-hurch thonghl they 
could do better work if all the lines, \iz. : social, parish, and missionary, were 
Ijrought under one organization. 

( )n -Ajiril 20. iS'iS. they decided to make this change, and formed the Mission- 
:ir_\ and .Social Union of the k'irst I'.aptist t hurch of \\"aterbur\-. In this new 
departure, they were largely assisted by the wise counsel of the late Doctor I'arry. 
The society embraces all of the women's distinctive work, and aims to include 
in its membership every woman of the church. It has three departments: Parish 
Work. Hoiue Missions, and Foreign Missions. It has a chairman in charge of 
each line of its work. Thursday of each week is its ".\t Home"' dav. two hostesses 
being in charge of the parlor all day. while all women's meetings are scheduled 
to ap]5ear at some specified hcjur. 

A. 1). I'ield. a man of .affairs .anil of large e-\]ieriencc in the management and 
control of fin.mces. de\ised, during the year Hjoi, a ]ilan of endowment for the 
church known as "Idie .Surplus Fund." It is incorporated under the laws of 
Connecticut. ,ind no in\estment as a public benefaction could be mort' diligently 
safeguar<le<l by leg.il en.ictment. In the year iijoi $1,000 was contributed by 
members of the church to this fund, — th.it amount being recjuired by the articles 
of incorporation before the fund could 1ie established. It is more especially 
designed to afford security for money and ])ropcrty which niav be given to the 
church through wills and deeds of gift. 

It is a perpetual endowment, of which the trustees are custodians, under bond 
in the amount of the market value of the assets of the fund. 

.\mong the pastors of the jiast twenty-five years were many celebrated church- 
men. Rev. W. P. Elsdon, who. .after a serious illness, went totally blind, had in 
1S9J increased the membership l)y 200 during his four-year pastorate. He was 
succeeded by Rev. Francis J. Parry. D. D., who died during his pastorate. After 
him came Rev. Oscar Haywood. Rew Albert C. I.awson. and in 191J the present 
pastor. Rev. Horace B. Sloat. 

The membership of the church's Italian mission, which is showing a steadv 
growth, is now sixty. Its present pastor is Rev. John Barone. The memberhip 
of the church in 1917 is 802 — 605 resident and 150 non-resident members. 

Dedicators- and Old Home week, in which the new church edifice was first 
occu]:)ied, took place from September 21, to 30, 1917. 

The officers of the church, elected in 1917, are: Trustees. Loren R. Carter. 
Wm. H. Robbins, C. P. Haight; deacons, V. M. Shaw, Wm. R. Dixon. Geo. H. 
Carter, David Crandall, Wm. O'Neill, Loren Durner. A. J. Shipley, E. G. Terry: 
deaconesses, Mrs. E. W. Smith, Miss Margaret McWhinnie: treasurer, Warren S. 
Trott ; clerk. Burton J. Hine : assistant clerk, C. .K. Peck : collector, Geo. W. Wat- 
son : assistant collector, Lyman Rich. 



118 WATliRBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK X'ALLEY 

SKtOND BAPTIST ClIUKCII OF WATICKliUKY 

The Iwcnty-lifth anniversary of the founding of the Second Baptist Church 
of Walerbury was celebrated in the fall of 1917, although the actual date of the 
organization of the church was May 17, 1892. The postponement for a few 
months was due to the desire to dedicate the new pipe organ, the intallation of 
which was a feature of the anniversary. 

Twenty-five years ago the congregation put up a small chapel for services, and 
this has since been moved back to make place for the fine auditorium built a few 
years later. The chapel is now used for the Sunday School. The membership of 
the church is no. The Sunday School has an enrollment of 150, with an average 
attendance of 100. 

The l\ev. Harvey W. Funk came to the church in November, 191 5, succeeding 
Fev. J. F. \'aught, who had been its pastor for eight years. 

'J'he ofiicers of the church elected in 1917 are as follows: Pastor, Rev. Harvey 
W. Funk ; clerk, Esther Mitchell ; treasurer, Edward J- Morgan. 

GRACE liAPTLST CHURCH 

The Grace Baptist Church was organized on .\pril 15. 1900. to provide a place 
of worship for the colored population of that denomination. Rev. Isaac W. Reed, 
the present pastor, has been with the congregation during its entire existence, 
except the first eight months. The pastor at its organization was Rev. J. Moses 
Hopkins. 

The church building, which was erected immediately after the organization, 
was cleared of debt six years ago. 

.'\t the outset, the membership was 17. This year it has enrolled 160, with 110 
in the Sunday School. In fact, the growth has been so continuous that a new 
and larger house of worship is now in contemplation. 

The officers elected for 1917 are : Pastor, Rev. Isaac W. Reed ; clerk, Caroline 
I.ee ; superintendent of Sunday School, Miss M. E. Benton. 

SWKDISII P..M'TIST TAP.KRNACLE 

On May 10 and 12. 7917. the Swedish I'.aptist Tabernacle celebrated its 
twcntv-fifth anniversary as a church. During its struggling years it worshipped 
in a chai)el near the site of the present church, 22 Bishop Street. Twelve years ago, 
during the ])astorate of Rev. A. O. Lawrence, it began the erection of its present 
church home. worship])ing in the basement for some time. During the pastorate 
of Rev. A. Linde, the church was completed and dedicated. For the past two 
years its pastor has been the Rev. O. W. Johnson, who succeeded Rev. Nils Berg, 
who had come to the church direct from Sweden. The membership of the church 
is 68, with a Sunday School attendance of 30. The ser\^ice.s are well attended, 
those present on Sunday evening, including visitors, numbering from 75 to lOO 
regularly. 

The ofificers of the church, elected in 19x7, arc as follows : Pastor, Rev. O. W. 
lohnson: treasurer. Gustaf R. Erickson ; clerk and superintendent of Sunday 
School, Nils A. Hilding. 

GERMAN EVAXGELICAL LUTHERAN' CHURCH OF WATERBURV 

In October, 1916. the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of W'aterbury cele- 
brated the quarter centurjr of its existence. Its present pastor is Rev. Martin J. 



W ATI'RI'.L-RV AXD THE XAUdVTL'CK VALLEY ll!i 

Lorenz, who came (n tlic churcli fnur years ago from Lindeiihurst, L. L, succeed- 
ing the Rev. L. Brunkc, who (Hed hist year. Its first pastor was Rev. Win. Jentsch, 
who served from iNcm to iS()S. He was succeeded Ijy Doctor Miiikus, Rev. 
Richard Rfeil aii<l Rev. J. .V. Lenke. 

In May. jyK), a site for a church was purchased on Grove Street, and during 
the coming year, if building conditions improve, a new liouse of worship will be 
erected. 'i"he church started with a membershij) of 30 and now has 27=; contribut- 
ing members. 

The ofticers of the church, elected in hmJ, are: I'astnr. Rev. Alartin J. 
Lorenz; secretary, Edward Koslusky: treasurer, l'"rnest I'.urtsch. 

THK I-:V.\.\(a:i,IC.\I. I.rTlll-lR.W Sr. jnux's CrURcII nv \\■A'rKKI!l'R^■ 

The Evangelical Lutheran .St. John's Church was fnundeil .^e])tember 20, I0<')3, 
bv the following German citizens of Waterbtu'}- : Reinhold Rrenner. (kistav 
iXickel, Ernest Schnabel, Koliert Molzon, Frederick Marlow, August Schmidt, 
Henrick I'lOJke, Ferd. Kranvitz, naniel Kratzke, Kd Litwin. It was served as 
a mission during the first year liy Rev. ( ). Duessel, of Bristol. In 1904, the 
.Swedish Lutheran Church on t'lierry .Street w.is rented ;md its nr>t i)astor in 
this church w;is Rev. .\uL;ust Kncrlxr, wIki nniainc(l mitil ii)".t- His successor 
was Rev. Julius Kretzmann. In lood, during his p.istor.iti-, the clnn\'h was incor- 
Iiorate<l and the liuilding at 4N-50 l'arl< fMace was purchased. In Ibis building 
the congregation worsbijiped until \(]\ember. njid, when it was sold .and tem- 
porary arrangements were made to hold services in the parish bouse of .St. John's 
Episco])al Church. Contract has been let fur a new church buildint^. and it is now 
in process of erection on Cooke Street, belweeii Gro\e rnid North Al.ain streets. 
It is expected to be occupied early in i()iS. 

Rev. Julius Kretzmann left in 100<) for Xew llrnen. .and for a time continued 
to serve the Watcrlniry congregation. On July 18. igcx). Rev. X'alentin Gcist 
came to the church. He remained until January 5. 1014. and was succeeded by 
Rev. F. LI. Lindemami. The jiresent pastor. Rev. Edwarrl Paul Merkel, came to 
the church in August. iQifi. 

The church h.as 85 eiu-olled on its list, .and a .'sunday .School of about 20, with 
three teachers in charge. The officers of the church at present are: I'astor. Rev. 
Edward V. Merkel; secretary. F. H. A. Bufe; treasurer, H. Abel. 

.SWEDISH f.v.\ni;i;lic.\i. i.t/tiii:ran zion c iu'rcit of waierp.urv 

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church of Water] >ury was organized 
lanuary [, iSqt, and celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1016. It has its 
own house of worship at 210 Cherry .Street, and its membership has shown steady 
growth during the past decade. 

Its officers, elected in iQi". are as follows: Pastor, Rev. J. Herman Olsson : 
secretary, Carl E. Olander; treasurer, Fred Person. 

SECOND .\DVENT CHRISTIAN CHl'RCH OF WATERIIURV 

The Second Advent Christian Church of XVaterlnin,- was organized May 12, 
1881, with about a dozen members. The late Thomas Fitzsimons and Kendrick 
II. Simons were largely instrumental in efifecting the same, and both remained 
members until their death. The widow of the latter, Mrs. Maria A. .Simons, of 
114 Cherry Street. Waterbuiw, is the only suryiving charter member at the present 
time. 



120 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \ALLKY 

The pastors have been as follows, in the order named : Rev. Geo. L. Teeple, 
Rev. L. F. Baker, Rev. Cornelius Pike, Rev. Jas. A. Gardner, Rev. Chester F. L. 
Smith, Rev. A. Judson Bolster, and the present pastor, Rev. Thomas Feltman. 

For several years after organization, the services were held in a hall on Bank 
Street, but in 1886, during the pastorate of Rev. L. F. Baker, a church building 
was erected on the present Cherry Street site. This building was remodeled in 
1906 — the year of the church's twenty-fifth anniversary. A Sunday School room 
was arranged in the basement. 

The debt incurred on the original building and for remodeling was cleared ofi 
in 1914, during the tenn of the present pastor, and a special service was held in 
the fall of that year, at which the burning of the note took place. 

On July 3, 1913, the church was incorporated under the laws of Connecticut. 
The present membership is 147. The present officers are: Deacons, Theo. Patchen, 
Samuel J. Bonney; assistant deacon, Wm. Strong; elders, Charles H. Chatfield, 
Geo. Read ; treasurer, Eben J. Lewis ; collector, Harry S. Johnson ; steward, 
Wm. Moulthrop; Sunday School superintendent, Charles B. Slater, and clerk, 
Henr}' D. Curtiss. 

THE I-IRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 

On January 19, 1898, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, was organized, 
with the following charter members : Eeon 1. Wood, Carrie W. Blakeslee, Mary 
T. Thompson, Winifred A. Wood, and George G. Blakeslee. The first readers 
appointed were Mrs. Geo. Blakeslee and Mr. Leon L Wood. 

There has been a steady, healthy growth and during the past year a site for a 
building was purchased at the corner of Holmes and Mitchell Avenue. The new 
structure, it is stated, will probably be erected during the next year. 

At present, the Sunday and Wednesday evening meetings are held in the 
reading rooms in the Buckingham building. 

The present readers are Mrs. Belle Stone Booth, Mrs. Ada B. Soper. The 
president of the society is Mr. Flarry A. Soper, and its treasurer is Mrs. Minnie 
T. Mainille. Mr. Lyman D. Lewis is clerk. 

P.L'CK'.S HII,1. L'NION CIIAPKI, 

lUick's Hill Union Chapel is non-denominational. It was founded twenty- 
two years ago, the ground for the house of worship having been donated by the 
late George Faber, Sr. Its membership is about fifty. It expects soon to have 
a Sunday School organized. At present its pastor is Rev. Roscoe E. Hatch, of 
All Souls' Parish. Its officers are Wm. Foster and W. A. Piatt. 

UNION CH.'VPEL, MILL PLAIN 

Unit)n Chapel, Mill Plain, is non-denominational, its four trustees, M. E. 
Pierpont, !•". W. Ineson, H. M. Judd, H. I. .Abel, representing the four protestant 
denominations — Episcopal. Methodist, Congregational and Baptist. 

Its membership is about two hundred and its Sunday School has an attendance 
of about one hundred and fifty. It is served by a pastor of each of the above 
denominations once each month. 

The church, which is thirty years old, had much to overcome after its build- 
ing burned, but the new structure is in every way adequate, and the membership 
is showing a steadv growth. 



WATERBURY AXD THE NAUGATUCK X'ALLEV 121 

WATERVII.LE CHAPEL 

Waterville Chapel is now celebrating the end of its first decade of non- 
denominational work. It has a membership of fifty, with forty-five in attendance 
at Sunday School. 

Its pastor is Miss M. A. Barrett. The superintendent of the Sunday .School 
is Miss E. M. Weeks. Its executix'e board consists of .S. Butcln'r. Jr., M. 
Mc.'Xllister, and Robert Benning-hoff. 



CHAPTER IX 
Till': CATHOLIC CHURCHES OE WATERBURY 

CATHOLIC rOPl'LATION liV PARISHES — IMMACULATE CONCEPTION — ST. PATRICK'S 

ITS DEDICATION SACRED HEART ST. ANN'S ST. CECILIA ST. FRANCIS XAVIER 

— ST. Joseph's — st. tiiomas — our l.-vdy ok lourdes — st. Margaret's — hlessed 

SACRAMENT ST. MICIIAEL'S ST. STANISI-AUS CONVENTS AND SCHOOLS- 
HOLY NAME SOCIETY SKETCHES OE MONSIGNOR SLOCUM AND FATHER CURTIN 

MGUNEY DAY. 

Waterbury's Catholic population was estimated at one-half the census figures 
for the city in 1890. In 1917, with a population of ap]>roximately 100,000, it can 
conservatively he placed at 55 to 60 jier cent of the total. Reliable parish 
figures bear this out and the table C(jni|)iled here is as given by the church 
authorities in each instance. 

Immaculate Conce])tion 6,700 

Sacred I leart 3,600 

St. Patrick's 3,000 

Our Lady of Lourdes (Italian) 17.500 

St. Joseph's (Lithuanian) 6.000 

St. Ann's ( I'-rench ) 4,000 

St. Erancis Xavier 3,000 

St. Stanislaus ( Polish ) 1 ,,1ck:i 

St. Cecilia (German) 3,000 

St. Michael's i ,000 

St. Margaret's 2,100 

Blessed Sacrament 850 

St. Thomas 2,200 

Total 54.250 

This growth from that beginning eighty years ago when Cornelius Donnelly 
was the only Catholic living here is a marvelous record. Where in 1847 there 
was a small one-story frame church dedicated by the small Catholic community, 
there are today thirteen distinct parishes, as many beautiful churches, six 
parochial schools, six convents, rectories in practically every parish, St. Mary's 
Hospital, one of the largest of its class in New England, and St. Mary's Day 
Nursery. 

This large Catholic population has always been foremost in all public move- 
ments. It has aided in every civic endeavor to beautify the city and to make 
it a better municipality, morally and physically. 

While it has its own parochial schools in a few parishes it has taken a deep 
interest in the building-up of the city's public school system. Ealher Hugh 
Treanor, among many of the Catholic faith, serves on its school board. In 
fact, it was during the chairmanship of Father Treanor that much of the work 
of thoroughly organizing the school system of the city was done. 

122 



WATERr.L'UV AM) llll': XAL'f iATL't K \ Al.l.lA' 12.3 

In thr fiillciwin^' liislnry nf tin- |iarislu-s, the rerdnK arc CdiiriiU'd lai".L;rly to 
those of llie past l\veiit\-li\e yeais, and siiii|ilenient the exceheiit work' done in 
the |ire\ions historii's of \\ aterhury. 

I'liE e'iH'K('n oi' iiii: i m m \( ii.ati-: < nxcia'iiox 

In tlic pririsli of the Inintaeiilate l'onee]ilion rests tlie hi'Ljinmni; of the 
Catholic chlireli \vorl< in W ati.'rlini-\ . The nieinor\- of the Kis^hl Kev, 'I". 1". 
llc-ndricktn, who ImiU tlie present ( hureh of the Inimaenlale t 'oneeption, dedi- 
cating it Uecemljer tw. i!~^53. i^ rcxered hy latholics and non-C'atiiohcs ahkc, 
for his activities were coninuniit\'-\\ idt' and he kiid not alone a wondertnl corner- 
stone for the clninli, Imt one npon which main ot the cit\'s nohlcsl hencfactions 
have hecn erected. W'ithont i^oin^; dicpi\ into the eailier history of thi^ parish, 
it is u-ell to add that dnrini^ the pa-torate of l\e\. W illiani A. 1 larly pari of the 
present Caharv t'enietery was purchased, part of the land for Si. Joseph's 
Cemetery ha\ in;;- hecn iKins^ht hy hather lleiidricken. 

|)urin.^■ tl;e pastorate of h'atlier John .\. .Mnlcdiy. ."^t. .Mary's School was 
Imdt and opeiieil in iS(|(), and was then placed in charge of the S'-ters of Charity 
from C(.)n\ent Station, \. J. Its lirst snperior \\,is .Sistei' Rosita, who was 
succeeded hy Sister .Marie .\.L;nes, and she hy the present superior, .Sisler 
Claudinc. .St. Mary's Coincnt w.as occupied on \'o\cmher JJ, iXSi). St, 
Patrick's Hall was hnill the s.nne \ear. In iSiji I'.ither .Mnlc.ili\- Ljre.itly .adari^ed 
l.)y ])urchase the pr(]pert\ of the chnrch now known ,as l'.il\ar\' I 'emetery. 
I'his was consecrated hy the hisho]i of the dicjcese M.iy J4, \i<<}-\. dlie splendid 
woik of Monsignor Slocnni followa-il, and St. .Mary's llospit.d, which he founiled 
hut the completion of which hi' did not li\c to see, will remain an enduring 
monument to his memory. .\ sketch of the life work of Monsignor Slocum, .as 
well as the history of St. M.ary's I hispit.al. will he found tdsewhere. 

Ivev. Luke iMtzsimons, the present pastiir, dehxered Ins first sermon in 
W'aterhury August d, lijui. I lis wurk h.as heeii in line with .ill the hcnet'uent 
(let'ds of his predecessors. Since coining to the ]i.arish, he has estahlished St. 
Mary's Day Nursery, in which .approxim.ati l\- se\enty-ti\e children .are cared for 
daiU. These are the children of mothers who are compelled to work during the 
day. Three sisters are in charge, and not ,ilone .are the children fed. hut those 
old enough arc gixeii insiniction. In imIs leather Fit;^siinons hought the 
(ir.annis proijcrl)- on IT'anklin .'^stiant and turned the home on it into a recreation 
hall and infirmary for children. 

d'here are at present in St. Mary's School 1.100 jiupils, with twenty-twir 
sisters and one la)- teacher in charge. St. .Mar\'s (^'onveiit houses twenty-four 
sisters. St. Patrick's Hall ,at 110 h'.ast M.ain Street has lieeii enlarged since its 
foundation. It contains twn chapels, one for hoys and (Jiie for girls. The 
.Sunday .School is also conducted there .and h.as ,an attendance of ahout oiu- 
hundred. This is for children who go lo tlu' puhlic schools, 

h'athcr h'itzsinions gradu.ated from Holy Cross College at Worcester, Mass.. 
from which place in \i<JT, he went to Troy, X. Y., for his theological course. 
He was ordained a priest in June, ^Xjt>. His lirst assignment was as assistant 
■at Sacred Heart Church, New 1 haven. He was four years at Collinsville, and 
then hccame parish priest at New Hartford in July, 1SS1, rem.aining there 
until io<X). 

The four assistants to l'"atlier ITtzsimons are: hTither J. .\. Doherty. 
Father E. P. Crvne. Father 1. .\. l)<wvd and I-.ather F. M. O'Shea. 



124 \VATF.R1!L"RY A\D Till' XAU(;.\TUCK \ALI.KY 

ST. I'ALKICK's lIlCKt H 

On the first day of T'ebruary, uStSo, the l\e\', J(5hn Duggan was appointed by 
the Kt. Kev. Lawrence McMahon, pastor of St. Patrick's T'arisli. About three 
weeks later was purchased the land upon which the church stands, besides three 
acres of adjoininw ])rbperty. The following year I*"ather Duggan came to 
W'aterbury and commenced the work of the organization of the ])arish. 

The cornerstone of St. i'atrick's Church was laid by liishop McMahon 
October 16, iSiSi. 

Father Duggan died November 10, 1895, and his remains were buried in 
front of the church. The zeal of Father Duggan in behalf of his ])arishioners 
in the decade and a half which he was spared to them was productive of marvelous 
results. F''ather Duggan was immediately succeeded by the Rev. Joseph M. 
Gleeson. 

Father Gleeson allendi-d St. Dunstan's I'rejiaratory College, afterwards going 
to .Mount Mellory. Irelaiul, which college was in charge of the Cistercian monks. 
He spent five years there, completing the classical course. His studies in 
philosophy and theology were made in the Grand Seminary, Montreal. He 
was ordained to the holy priesthood by the Most Rev. Archbishop Fabre, 
December 23, 1K76. He was appointed assistant to the Rev. Michael Tierney, . 
the present bishop, then pastor of St. John's Church, Stamford, where 
he remained until November i, 1878, when he was transferred to Danielson. 
In March, 1879, he was sent as assistant to the Rev. leather Mulcahy. I'^ather 
Gleeson was aj)pointed by the Right Re\'. I'ishop McMahon, pastor of St. 
Anthony's Church, Litchfield, April i, 1883. On the 28th day of November. 
1885, he was appointed pastor of Portland. During his pastorate he brought 
there the .Sisters of Mercy. The first Catholic school was opened in Portland 
by him February i, 1889. He was afterwards appointed ])astor of St. Patrick's 
Church, 'i"hom]jsonville. He came to W'aterbury to succeed the Rvv. Father 
Duggan December 2, 1895. 

He immediately took up the arduous work of tinishing the church and 
rectory. The f^lastering work on both house and church was then being done. 
Besides carrying on the stupendous work of the completion of the massive 
structures, additions were made to the Lyceum Building, and a church building 
erected in the Waterville district. Meanwhile, the Sisters of St. Joseph were 
introduced into the ])arish. A free kindergarten school was o])cned in the 
Lyceum and several new societies were organized. 

But the great task of completing the church ended in h;o3, and on .Sunday, 
January i8th of that year, the magnificent edifice was solemnly dedicated by 
Right Rev. liishop Tierney. 

After the dedicatory services, pontifical mass was celebrated. His F.minence, 
Cardinal Gibbons, being celebrant. The sermon at the morning service was 
preached by the Rev. D. J. Stafford, D. D., of \\'ashington. In the evening 
solemn high vespers were sung by the famous Bishop Ilarkins of Providence, 
R. I., and the sermon was preached by the Rev. M. V. Fallon, (). M. I., of 
Bufifalo. 

The several services were marked by that richness of ritual, splendor of 
ceremony and gorgeous magnificence which is characteristic of Catholic services. 
The magnificent singing, the si)lendor of the church, the beauty of the service 
and the presence of so many priests, all were inspiring. Greater dignity was 
added to the gathering by the presence of His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, 
Bishop Tierney of Hartford, Bishop Harkins of Providence and Monsignor 
Murphy of Dover. N. H. 



w \ri;kr,LKN" axd tiiI'; .\"AL't;.\'i tck xaij.I'A' vr> 

St. I'atrick's Cluircli is situ.itnl in the heart of the lirijoklyn distnct (in 
hi^^h sj;ri)un<l (in a Idt cdntainini,^ iK'arly tlirt-c acrt-s. 'I'lic church fronts cm 
Charles Street and nverldnks the cit\-. Its niof towers hi.i^h almxe ahnost every 
other structure, and the huildini; pniper is of iniiiosinL;- appearance. The church 
is huill of a HliIu lihie granite, willi trinmiintjs df cnt stone of tlie same inalerial, 
and is constructed in the most sulistantial and perfect manner. Ilie hasement 
is more tlian lifteen feet in liei.i,'hl. and has .1 se.iiinw capacil\ of o\cr one tjiousand 
]iers(ins. Tliere are four spacious entrances to tlie hasement, one at eacli corner 
of tlie huilihnjj. and two tli,i;hts of stairs connectin.i,' with the church aho^•^•. 

AlthiiULlh the na\c of the hasement is se\'entv-si.\ feet wide, tliere are hut 
two rows of iron columns jilaeed under the clerestory columns of the church 
aho\e and supiiortinj;; them. The church floors are su|)ported upon hea\v com- 
pound wrought iron j,nrders. restiuf;- on these cohimns atid on the walls, so that 
the basement is clear of all ohstruction. excepting these, .and preserves the 
comfort and convenience of a finished church. It is li<;hted hv lartje windows 
of cathedr.al ,t,dass. The width hetweeii the main sidi' w;dls is seventv-six feet. 
The style of the huildinj,' is the early decorated < '.othic. which jirevailed at the 
commencement nf the fourteenth century, when the expressi\-e features of 
Christian architecture were dex'eloped. 

The tower is in the northeast corner, froiilint; on (diaries Street. It does 
not grow out of the church, hut is distinct itself, carrying out the monumental 
idea of a church tower. The main entrance comprises three l.art^e doorways, 
liesides one in the tower communicating with the church .and with the end 
galleries which extend across the nave. The auditorium will h.ave ;i seating 
capacity of 1.5.25 ]iersons. .\t the sanctuary eml are two other eiitr.ances con- 
iiectin.g with the church proper, with the h.asemeiit hy .1 staircase, and with the 
sacristies on each side of the sanctuary, which are connected hy ;i passway 
between the altar. 

The parish of St. I'atrick iiumhers about three thous.iiid sduls. .\s the parish of 
the Blessed Sacrament has been largely taken fniiii St. Patrick's, there is no 
apparent growth slidwn, although this has in f.icl been considerable in its more 
limited territory. 

Including the children, the .Sunday attendance .appro.ximates one thousand 
tw-o hundred. 

When the church was dedicated in I'X'i it had a debt of .S85,0(X).cx). Today 
the debt is about ^33,000.00 and just as soon as this is liquidated, the church will 
begin the erection of a school and convent for the parish. 

The assistants to Father Gleeson arc I'ather Thom.as .\. ( irumbley and P'ather 
Daniel J. Manning. 

s.\CNi-;ii iiiT.xKT ciiuKi 11 

( )n Sunda>'. I'"eliru<ary 15, 1SCS5, the Rev. William llarty, then rector of 
the parish of the Immaculate Conception, made the formal announcement that 
the Right Rev. Bishop McMahon had established a new parish in the city. The 
announcement was not entirely unexpected, as rumors of the intended division 
had been current for some time. The new parish was to comprise East Main 
.Street east of Dublin Street, all of Dublin Street, the east si<le of Welton Street, 
Walnut Street and all of the streets east of these points, .and would include 
between 1,500 and 2.000 souls. The Rev. Hugh Treanor. who for six years 
had been the efficient assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church, Xorvvalk, was 
appointed pastor of the new parish by Bishop McMahon. -\ short time after 



126 WATERP.L'RY AND Till-: NAUGATUCK N'ALLEY 

the dixisioii the land on whicli tlic church now stands was purchased by Father 
Trennor. 

On Sunday, h'ebruary 22, nSK^, Father Treanor jjreached his initial sermon 
to his new flock in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. On March ist 
of the same year the members of the Sacred Heart Parish held divine services 
for liie first time as a distinct congregation in St. Patrick's Chapel. Services 
were held there until the date of the blessing of the basement of the new 
church March 14, 1886. 

On Sunday, .August 16, 1885, the cornerstone of the new church was laid by 
Bishop McMahon. On Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1889, the new church 
was solemnly dedicated. 

The cornerstone was laid by Bishop McMahon in the presence of an esti- 
mated attendance of 8,000 jjcrsons. The sermon was ])reached Ijy the Rev. 
Francis Delargy of the Order of Redemptorists. The handsome silver trowel 
used by the Bishop during the ceremony was presented to the Rev. John Russell 
of New liaven, who was the largest contributor on the occasion. 

On March 14, 1886, the basement of the church was blessed and formally 
opened for divine worship. Bishop McMahon graced the occasion by his presence. 
The Rev. John Russell was the celebrant of the mass and the sermon was 
preached by the Rev. WiUiam J. .Slocum, then of Norwalk. At the vesper 
service confirmation was administered for the first lime in the new church to a 
class of over sixty children. 

Thank.sgiving Day, November 2S', 1889. witnessed the crowning of the good 
work. On that day the new church edifice was solemnly dedicated under the 
patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by the Right Rev. Pjishop McMahon. 
The celebrant of the mass was the Rev. Michael Tierney, later the bishop of 
Ihe diocese. The sermon was preached b*/ the Rev. Thomas Broderick of 
Hartford. In the evening vespers were sung, the Rev. James Fagan of Naugatuck 
officiating. 

In 1893 ''*''"I 1^94 'I'c present beautiful rectory was built. 

leather Treanor remained as head of the parish for nearly thirteen years, 
leaving it to take charge of St. Patrick's Parish, Norwich. During this period 
of change. Rev. Thomas Shelley was in charge of the parish, and the school and 
convent \\;ere erected about ten years ago. 

In October, 1912, b'ather Treanor returned and has been active in the work 
of building up the church of which he was the founder. In this period he has 
added another story to the scliool Imilding, giving the parish a fine hall for its 
own immediate ])urposes. 

The census of the ])arish is now aliout three tiiousand. The attendance at the 
four masses Sunday is about two thousand two hundred. 

The parochial school has an attendance of 450 and is in charge of ten sisters. 

ST. .\XN's CIIt'RCII 

St. .\nn's Parish was founded in .\pril. 1886, to provide services for the 
French Catholic population. Rev. Joseph Fones, who was at that time pastor 
of St. John's Parish, \\'atertown, was given this additional charge and services 
were held in the old Universalist Chapel on Grand Street. The first service was 
held on May 2, 1886. .During the following year. Father Fones devoted his 
entire time to .St. .Ann's and ])urchased the lot on which the present edifice stands. 
Rev. J. E. Bourret succeeded him and planned the work of building the magnifi- 
cent church which it is ho])ed will soon be dedicated. 



WATERl'.L'RV A\D TIIK XAU( lATl'eK N'ALI.l'A' 127 

Rev. Joseiih E. Si_ne-;ic. liis successor, wlm died April id. Mjod. undt-rtorik 
the actual erection of the ma.ijnilicent new church at ."^outh Alain and I)o\er 
streets. Trilnites were paid to his work when the cornerstone of the edifice 
was laid hy Kit;ht Rev. Michael 'rierney. Fiishoj) ai llartford. (jn May 27, 1006, 
a little over a month after he hail |iasse<l away, h'ather .\. R. (irolleaii, jiastor of 
St. Anil's Church, h'all Ri\er, deli\ered the sermon in I'rench. The clergy of 
the entire diocese i)artici]iated. 

'idle e.xterior of the church is now complete, luit tlie interior work is still 
unfinished, the Ijasement, which will eveiunally he the parish hall, heing used 
for church services. 

Rev. F.rncst A. Lamontagne huilt the new con\ent six years ago. The school 
too has heen greatly enlarged and is conducted hy eighteen .Sisters of tl;e Holy 
<_ihost, who in iQori succeeded the Notre Dame .'listers. 

The ]iroperty of the p.irish tod.iy comprises the magnificent clnu'ch wliich 
is huilt of granite and W-rmont hlue marhle, two schools, the as^emhly hall, the 
rectory and the convent. 

The census of the parish places the po|)ulation at 4,000 The enroliment in 
the school is 650. 

Father Lamontagne has taken a dee]> interest in the org.inization of the social 
work of the church. ;d! the societies ha\ing Large and enthn<ia-tic mcmhi'rsh.ips. 
He has also organized the St. John the I'.aplist • iiunaK, a semi-milif.iry organiza- 
tion, and a trooji of I'lOy .Scouts. 

SI. CF.nLI.\'s I'.VKISII 

The fcjrmalion hy the (Jerman Catholics of Walerhury of a Holy k'amily 
Society in April, i8(;)2, was the auspicious heginning of St. Cecilia's I'arish. 
E\en before the organization of the parish the land on Scovill Street, on which 
the church now stands, was ]nirchased. ( In .\o\emlier 10, l8i)_', Re\'. h'.irrell 
Alartm, I). D., who had heen assistant at the Immaculate ( 'oncejitifin, w.as made 
pastor of the new ]i.arisli, and the lir^t serxiccs were held in the cha]iel (if the 
Sisters of Xotre Dame. The cornerstone of the new church w.is Laid July _'0. 
1S94, ^'I'i the edifice w.as dedicated Xoxemlier iS, i,'^i)4. The master of cere- 
monies was the Rev. J. II. (j'Donnell of W'atertown. High mass was celebrated 
by \'icar-gencral Mulcahy, assisteil bv the Rew I. II. 1 )uggan as deacon and the 
Re\-. \\'illiam Lynch as sub-deacrm. .\ sermon in < lerman was preached b\ the 
Rev. John Roser, O. S. E., ami one in English by the Rev. L. .\. Delury, C). S. A, 

The building is 05 feet long by 56 feet wide on the front, and has a seat- 
ing capacity of aljout six hundred. The design is jiurely (iothic: the material 
is pallet brick with brown stone trimmings. There ;ire three large entrance 
doors at the front, with six lancet windows just aljo\e, and o\er these a large 
rose window, glazed with opalescent glass in beautiful tints. Three aisles lead 
to the chancel rail and through three separate gates into the sanctuar\-. W'itliin 
are three altars, the main altar in the center and the altars of the Rlesseil X'irgin 
and St. Joseph on either side. The main windows are of figured .glass. Directlv 
over the central altar is the figure of .St. Cecilia with ])andean pipes. .Additional 
windows represent other saints, the Holy Family and the Tinmaculate Conception. 

During the pastorate of Doctor Martin the rectory \v;is also built. Father 
IMartin was succeeded in the ]>astorate five years ,'igo bv the ])resent ]iastor. 
Father Reinhard Bardeclc. ,\ccording to the last church census, there are in 
the parish about seven hundred Catholic families, approximatelv thrte thousand 
souls. Father Bardeck is a graduate of St. John's Seminary, at Rrighton, near 



128 WATKRBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VAI.LEY 

Boston, and was ordained in 1900 at Hartford. He was assistant in Rockville 
for three >X'ars, and before coming to Waterbury had been parish priest of a 
Cierman congregation in Hartford. 

ST. FR.ANCIS XAVIER P.VRISII 

St. Francis Xavier Parish was formed November 30, 1895. On December 
3. 1895, Rev. Jeremiah J. Curtin took charge as pastor and began the building 
up of this great parish, a monimient to his labors of nearly twenty-two years. 
On December 30, 1895, the temporary rectory at the corner of Washington and 
Baldwin streets was occupned by Father Curtin. On January 2, 1896, the first 
mass was held for the parish at the auditorium. 

On December 3, ifp2, the ]iresent site for the new church was purchased 
and the cornerstone was laid with impressive services by Piishop Tiemey of 
I lartford on November i, 1903. 

The ba.sement chapel was dedicated on November 12, 1905, and the entire 
church was opened with solemn services on March 4, 1907. While the church 
was building, the rectory was also under way and was ready for occupancy 
in 1905. 

The church is a beautiful edifice. It is 138 feet long, 76 feet wide. The 
auditorium is 85 feet long and 68 feet wide. The apex of the ceiling is 55 feet 
from the floor. The tower is 140 feet above llie ground elevation. Its seating 
capacity is 1,150. 

Father Curtin also built in 1914 the parish hall for boys and opened a fine 
playground with tennis courts in the rear of the present church property. 

The census of the parish places its Catholic population at 3,000. At the 
five Sunday masses, the attendance is about two thousand. 

Rev. James J. Egan succeeded to the pastorate, coming from New Milford, 
Conn., July 11, 1917. He is a graduate of Laval University, Montreal. 

His assistants are Fathers John P. Kennedy and Edward Ouinn. 

ST. joskph's i>.\kisii 

St. Joseph's Parish, consisting of the Lithuanian Catholics of Waterbury, was 
organized in 1894. The Rev. Joseph Zabris was appointed pastor on March 28th. 
The first mass was celebrated on .\pril ist, in Mitchell's Block on Bank Street. 

On September 28th the Dreher property was purchased and the erection of 
a church was begun on October 6th. On Thanksgiving Day, November 29. 1894, 
the cornerstone was laid with the usual .services. \^icar-general John A. Mulcahy 
performed the ceremony with Dr. Farrell Martin as sub-deacon. The address 
of the occasion was delivered by the Rev. Joseph Jaksztys. first in the Lithuanian 
and then in the Polish language. 

The Lithuanian Catholics had. however, been organized for some years prior 
to the building of their church. In fact, the date of the actual founding of St. 
Joseph's Church is given as May i, 1892. Father Zabris was succeeded twenty 
years ago by the Rev. Peter Saurusaitis, who had been ordained priest by 
Cardinal Gibbons. During his pastorate the parish has grown so that it now 
numbers 6,000 souls. The new church, which has since been erected, has a 
seating capacity of 800 and at the four Sunday masses it is estimated that the 
total attendance is about three thousand. The rectorj- has also been constructed 
within the decade, and a new school has been added to the small old school, the 
early church structure which the parish soon outgrew. The new school is directly 




( 111 l;( II iiKiil l; I.AIi-i (IK l.dl l;lii;s. WATKKlUliV 



\vatJ':rl;ury and the naugatuck valley 129 

opposite the churrh. 'I'lic scIkioI attenilance is placed at 900, with sixteen sisters 
in charge. Tiic cdnvcnt is at the corner of Lilierty ami South Main streets. In this 
convent, which is strictly speai<ing St. Ann's Parish, other sisters are also housed. 
These look after the sick and do other henefuenl parish wcjrk. A notable event, 
June U), 1017, was the celel)ralii m uf his first mass hy h'ather Joseph A. 
Yankovsky, a younij man who was hdrii and r;iised in W'alerhurv. 
The .assistant in the parish is h'ather X'alantiejus. 

SI'. llluM.XS I'AKISIl 

St. Thomas I'arish was ort,'anized .Seplemher 25, i8i)S, although the church 
which had been erected by Monsignor .Slocum .it t'nnvn and Beacon streets was 
for some years a chajiel of the I'arish of the Innuaculate Conception, heather 
Timothy Crowley, now in Xew London, w.is its lirst ]i,islor. He built the scItooI 
and convent and in the former there are now ,^50 U> 401) children enrolled, with 
the sisters in charge. The convent was erected opposite tlu' school. The church 
census places the Catholic pojndation of the parish at 2.200. 

Rev. F. J. Lally, the present pastor, succeeded Father James Cunningham, 
wdio died a year after coming to the church. Father Lally has been in the 
pastorate six years, coming here from Pociuonock Parish. He is a graduate of 
the seminary at St. r.ona\'enture, Allegany, N. Y. 

Father William Kennedy was the first cunite, Uev. Timothv .Sullivan suc- 
ceeding him. Fathers Josejjh Ryan, John Rrennan and Win. (J'l!rien followed, 
and the curate today is Father D. T. Aloran. 

OUR L.\DV (IF 1.()1;K1)E.S PARISH 

It is in the Italian parish of "(Jur T,;i<ly of Lourdes" that the phenomenal 
growth has taken place, estimates of the church census being placed at figures 
ranging from 15,000 to 20,000. This is easily an increase of 7,000 in five years, 
and perhaps 5.000 in two years. 

In the year 1899 the Italian Catholics of Waterbury were organized into 
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish by the Rev. l-'athcr Michael A. Karam, the first 
pastor, at the request of the Right Rev. Piishop Tierne}'. 

Before Father Karam's appointment, the Italians were under the pastoral 
charge of the Rev. Dr. Martin of St. Cecilia's German Parish. 

On June 11, 1899, Father Karam sa'd the first mass for the Italian Catholics 
of Waterbury in a building on Canal Street. 

On Sunday, October 25, 1903, the cornerstone of Our Ladv of Lourdes Church 
was laid by Right Rev. Bishop Tiemey. in the presence of an assemblage of 
between 10,000 and 12,000 people. 

During the year icp5, the new rectory of gray brick, in the same style as the 
church, was erected, and in the following year Father Karam built in the rear 
of the rectory a small convent and school. 

One of the most notable celebrations the Italians have ever given in this 
city was held at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes on May 19, T90S, on which 
day the pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes celebrated the twenty-fifth 
anniversary of his entrance into the priesthood. An interesting feature of the 
occasion was a gift to Father Karam from Pope Pius X of a large photograph 
on which the Holy Father had written a few words of blessing and his autograph. 

The new church on South Main Street was dedicated on Sunday, February 14, 
K)09, with a solemn high mass, the Rev. Michael A. Karam being the celebrant. 



130 WATERP.URY A\D THE XAUGATL'CK \ALLF.Y 

the Right Rev. Monsignor John Synnott, administrator of the Diocese of Hart- 
ford, making the dedicatory ceremony. The exercises were simple and impressive. 

The church has a frontage of 70 feet on South Main Street and is 127 feet 
in depth. Tlie height of the nave or body of the church is 55 feet, and the 
campanile or bell tower is 100 feet in height. The basement was first completed 
and roofed over, and used for a number of years for church services, and was 
occupied also while the super-structure was being built. 

The general plan consists of a high nave, lighted by clerestory windows, with 
two aisles. Each aisle terminates in a semi-circular apse in which the side 
altars are placed. The main altar is also placed in a large semi-circidar apse, 
surrounded by an entablature and columns in which arc arches and niches for the 
numerous statues with which the interior is adorned. 

The exterior of the church is built of gray pressed brick and trimmed with 
Indiana limestone and terra cotta. The main roofs are of slate. 'I'he campanile, 
which was afterwards destroyed, was built near the rear after the manner of 
Italian churches. 

The rectory is on the north side, adjoining the church, and in the rear of 
this is the school and convent, both incorporated in one building. 

On November 9, 1912, the present pastor, Rev. Joseph Valdambrini, took 
charge of the parish. On April 8, 1916, part of the roof, the interior of the 
tower and part of the ceiling were destroyed by fire. By Christmas, 1916, the 
church had not alone been completely repaired, save the restoration of the tower, 
but ten new windows had been placed in the edifice. 

The attendance at the Sunday masses is between 2,ocx) and 2,300. The 
Sunday School has an attendance of between 700 and 800. It has not been 
found, however, feasible to continue the parochial school. 

leather Felix .Scoglini is the assistant. 

.ST. MAK('..\KI;t's F'.NKISIl 

St. Margaret's Parish was organized July 29, 1910, Rev. Edward J. Brennan, 
the present pastor, having been named to take charge. The church was built 
at once to meet the needs of the district. In the following year the rectory 
was built. Two years ago the school was opened, with eight large class rooms 
and on the top floor a fine hall, seating 400 people. Ten sisters were brought 
from the Mother Mouse at Hartford, and are in charge of the school. .\t present 
the convent on Chestnut Avenue is rented. 

.\ large plot of ground has been purchased at Ludlow and Willow streets, 
on which Father Brennan hopes soon to be able to erect a new church and convent. 
The census of the parish places its Catholic population at 2,100. The attendance 
at the four masses is placed at 1,600. The school enrollment is between 200 
and 300. 

Ke\-. Edward J. Brennan was chaplain in the United States Navy for eight 
years before coming to W'aterbury. He had also been at St. John's. New Haven, 
and St. Francis in Torrington. The curate now is bather William Kilcoyne, who 
succeeded Father John Quinn. 

nLi;ssi:n s.mk.amknt i'.\kisii 

The Church of the Blessed Sacrament was organized May 7, 191 1, incorporat- 
ing the following month. Its first pastor. Rev. Terence D. Smith, who had been in 
charge of a parish at Watertown, began at once the erection of the church and 



W ATHRr^L'KY AXD Till: XAUGATLCK \ ALLIA' 131 

tiu- rectiiry and ihrsc wcrr ri-aily for dedicatiiiii tin- fullow ini:; vcar. Tlu' ciiisus 
placrs tlu- ('athdlic pn|ndatiiiii (if tiu- ])ari>li at S^c i. Tin' allcnilancc at its two 
masses Sunday is 430. Its Sunday Sihonl attendance is uo, Kc\ . I'.dwafd A. 
l-'lannery suceeeiled to the pastorate .Ma\ ,^, \<)\J. I'atlier Smith ,L;oins,r to Bridge- 
])nrt to found a new parish, lather llanner\ canu- from llazard\ille. where he 
had heen in charge of tlu' parish for fifteen years. leather John II. 1. amirs' 
is curate. 

I'^ather hlannerv and his assistant .aKo look after the -piritvtal needs of the 
(.'.atholics at Hrookside and .at the \\ aterhury llos]iital 

ST. Sr.\.\lsL.\lS r.XNIsli 

< In jitl\ 7. |i)lJ. .'~^t. .Stanislaus I Innah was ori^am/ed. its incorporation tak- 
ing; place in I'ehrnary, ii)i,v This is th<- I'olish parish and the census gives it 
alx-Uit one thousand three hnmlred smds. It is at present worshipping in the 
hasement of what will he its cliunli struclnre on h'.asl h'arm .^treel. 

Jt has an attendance of _'oi 1 at masses, and 103 in its .Simdav .School. Rev. 
Theodore Zimmerman has lieen in charge of the parish for the past three \ears. 

.ST. MIC ll.\l-,l,'s PANIsll 

l'"or some years tliere had heen a growing m-ed for .1 church at \\ atei-\ ille, 
and in l8i;7 h'ather (ileeson, of St. Patrick's. Walerhurx. erected a chajiel on 
Thoinaston .\ventie. as a part of his parish. This later, in hk)-', hecaine St. 
^lichael's ])arish. with h'ather Matthew j. Trayiior in charge, lie was at the 
head of the parish for fifteen \ears. heing succeeded on .Ma\- 2. i<M7, h\- l\c\-. 
David R. < t'Donnell. 

The census places the ('atholic |io]inlalion at i,<ioo. The attendance at the 
two Sunday masses is doo. 

Father Traynor built the rector)- and enlarged the church during his pastor- 
ate. He also purchased the ground on Thomaston Avemte, just ahuve the pres- 
ent site, and on this it is ])ro])osed to erect a new edihce at an early date. 

iirni;R t \Tii(ii.n .\(Tnrni:s 

The .Academy of Xotre I)ame. which is in charge of fmtneen sisters, was 
estalilished here forty-eight years ago. and su]iplies not alone ;i graded and high 
school curriculum, hut has needlework, art and commercial courses as well. The 
main building was erected in iiSSg. The institute is .afhli.ated with the Catholic 
University at Washington. 

nf the Catholic societies, the largest atid most iirominent is Sheridan Council, 
Xo. 24, Knights of Columlnis, instituted May 2, 1885, which has a membership 
of (X)0. 

Sheridan Council meets in Knights of Columbus 1 kill at ILast Main .'-street and 
Phoetiix Avenue, and also occupies the floor Ixdow the meeting hall as a club. This 
contains its beautiful library, has a lounging room and dining room, ami is 
exclusively for the use of the members of .Sheridan Council. 

The officers of this council are : Grand knight. John L. Gaiifnev : (leput\- 
grand knight, Timothy F. Barry; chancellor. James F. Cohvell ; financial secretary, 
Thomas D, Behan ; recorder, Wm. F. (iuilfoilc: acting treasurer, Carl J. Schultze : 
warden, John D. Tierney. 



132 W .\TI;R1!L"RY AXD the XAUGATUCK \'ALLEY 

Barcelona Council, No. 24, Knighls of CohiniJjus, has a membership of 100. 
It also meets in Knights of Columbus Hall. 

Its principal officers are: Grand knight, William F. Ryan; recording secre- 
tary, Thomas Dodd; financial secretary, Michael F. Conlan ; treasurer, Walter E. 
Monagan. 

The Catholic Benevolent Legion, of which John McElligott is ]>rcsident and 
Capt. P. F. Bannon is secretary, has a membership of about fifty. 

The Catholic Women's Benevolent Legion was founded ten years ago. Its 
first president was Miss A. J. Corden. Miss Katherine E. Conway is its presi- 
dent now. Miss Elizabeth Guilfoile is its secretary, and Miss Jennie Bergen is 
its treasurer. 

THE IIOr.Y NAME SOCIETIES 

In each of the Catholic parishes of Waterbury there is organized a subordinate 
branch of the Floly Name Society. Several of these branches arQ in a very flour- 
ishing condition and arc an important factor in the life and work of the parish. 
The membership is restricted to men. and the roster of the society in each parish 
contains the names of the most representative and loyal members of the parish. 
In many parishes junior Holy Name societies have been organized, for the pur- 
pose and with the result of bringing together maturing boys under noble influences 
and guiding them safely through the dangers that beset their paths during the 
interim between completed school days and early manhood. 

Within the past decade notable advancement has been made by the Holy 
Name societies of Waterbury. A Holy Name .Athletic League has been formed 
to furnish healthful recreation to the younger men, social entertainments under 
Christian influences are held at the parish halls during the winter time, and 
frequent addresses made by the city's ablest men on topics of local and national 
interest ])rovide educational entertainment at the society meetings. 

Perhaps the most notable celebration of a civic-religious nature, in which 
the citizens of Waterbury ever took part, was held in Waterbury, June 10, 1913, 
the occasion of the State Meeting of the Holy Name Societies of Connecticut. 
On that day the entire membership of the local branches of the society, together 
with delegations, in many instances comprising entire societies, from almost 
every city and town in Connecticut, marched in parade through the principal 
streets of the city, and then assembled in the spacious playgrounds of Saint 
Mary's Parochial School, on East Main Street. There they listened to patriotic 
and religious orations by Rev. Luke Fitzsimons, who acted as master of cere- 
monies, Bishop John Joseph Nilan of the Hartford diocese, and Lieutenant Gov- 
ernor Lyman T. Tingier of the State of Connecticut. There also Bishop Nilan 
officiated at the benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, with Father Fitz- 
simons acting as his assistant. 

To Rev. Martin Keating, then a young curate at the Immaculate Conception 
Church, now a chaplain in the L^nited -States Army, is due in a verj' larsre meas- 
ure the magnificence of this tribute of loyalty to God and country. His inde- 
fatigable zeal and untiring perseverance planned and carried to fruition the 
preparations of that day. 

VERY REV. MONSIGXOR WII.I.I.AM J. SI.OCUM 

On October 22, 1908. there passed away one of Waterbury 's greatest prelates. 
Very Rev. Monsignor Wm. J. Slocum. head of the ])arish of the Immaculate 
Conception. 



WATKRHURY AND THE NAUCATUCK WM.LI'A' 133 

MonsigiKir Slocuni was born on February '>, I'^^Si. in Winstcd, the son of 
Michael and Jane MeConnick Slocuni, Ijoth of whom were natives of Ireland, 
and had ad<)i)ted this as their country, lie was the last to die of a family of six 
children — John, 'llKinias. Michael and b'rank Sldcuni. and one sister, Mrs. lames 
J. Fruin of Waterbury, having j)assed awav. 

After comjiletint;- his primary education in the public and ]iarocliial schools 
of Winsted. he was sent to St. Bonaventure's C'dllesje and .Seminary at Alletjany, 
X. Y. There be was consjiicuous amont;- his felhjw students and held a high 
rank in his class thriiu.L;b(iut his course. ( )n June jj. 187(1. hr received the sacra- 
ment of Holy ( )rders at the hands of the Kt. Rev. Stephen \'. Rvan. then bishop 
of Buffalo. 

St. Peter's, llaiiford, w.as the first parish which s;iw the yuung prii^t's labors. 
The Re\-. Lawrence Walsh, who later became recln)- iif the t ■|itircli id' the Immacu- 
late Conce[)tion in this city, was then the p.istor iif St. Peter's, b'atber -Slocuni 
was not long in winning a firm jilace in the alTecticins nf the parishiduers and his 
faithfulness at St. Peter's was rewarded by his appnintmenl ;is curate at St. 
Patrick's parish in New Haven. This was then. e\en mcire than nciw, one of the 
most important ]iarishes in the diocese, and in ;i sectinn, which e\en in those days, 
had assumed a cosimipdlilan character. Father .^bicum ]ird\cd .a \i'iy useful and 
helpful inlluence. lie was under the \'er\- Rev. |,anie> l.vncb, then vicar-general 
of the diocese, as well as pastor of ."-^t. Patrick's, and h.ul ,1 large part of the 
city to look .after. During that |)erio<l he w.as the onl\' jiriest in \ew lla\en, lor 
some time, who heard the confessions of the Italian residents, 'fhey h.ad no 
church of their dwn ,it that time and Father Slocum was iluir ch.aplain during 
the greater part of bis time in Xew Flaven. 

The Rev. jerenii.ib Fitzpatrick succeeded blither L\iich in the pastor.ate 
wdiile Father Slocum was still at .St. Patrick's in Xew lla\en. .and, owing to the 
pastor's illness, the young curate w.as called upon to Like up much of the 
executive work, b'rom there he was assigned to .St. Patrick's in llartford. under 
the Rt. Rev. Bishop AIcAIahon. then the he.id of the diocese of llartford. His 
first appointment as pastor was made on .May i. 1883, when he took charge of 
the parish at Xorwalk. 'fhere he displ.iyed splendid executi\e .ability .and the 
parish made rapid strides spiritually and materially. He was m.ade permanent 
rector there in 188(1. 

Twelve ye.ars his life was given to his people and his jiarish in Xorwalk. and 
with such splendid results that Catholics and non-Catholics were loath to have 
nim relinquish his place there to come to Waterbury. It recpiired the earnest 
solicitation of the new head of the diocese, the late Rt. Rev. I'.ishoji Tierney, to 
win his consent to the change. He succeeded the \'ery Rev. John .\. Mulcahy 
here as permanent rector ijf the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Septem- 
ber II, 1805. 

It was noticeable from the very first th.at under his administration the [)arish 
and Waterbury were to progress rapi<Ily. \\'ithin a year he had reclaimed a 
large part of St. Joseph's cemetery, the old cemetery, and three years after he 
came here he purchased the present new .St. Joseph's Cemeterv. 

The year of i8<>S was marked as one of the most complete in accomplish- 
ment in his entire career, for not only did he secure the new cemeterv. but he 
purchased the site and building of the present St. Thomas's Church. He ]iaid 
half of the entire debt on St. Thomas's jiarish at the time he turned the property 
over to the people in that district. 

Two years later, in 1000, the work of renovating the interior of the Church 
of the Immaculate Conception was undertaken ,at a cost of .Su.iTOn. 



134 \\A^I■■,K|■.l■K^• AM) Tl 1 !■: XAUC.A'IL-CK \ ALLEY 

111 Hjoi tlie parish respoiulcd to another call and the Mulcahy Memorial Llall 
was erected, with a line library and gymnasium. This gave the Catholic school 
children an institution which is enjoyed by comparatively few primary grammar 
schools in the country. Two years later the erection of St. Mary's Grammar 
School, on Cole Street, was undertaken, and at that time too the heating plant 
for all the parochial buildings on Cole street was erected. St. Mary's Day 
Nursery, supplying a long felt want, was purchased and o])ened in the year 1904, 
and, in 1906, Father Slocum purchased the land on which St. Mary's Hospital 
is now standing, at the corner of Franklin and L'nion streets. 

After this site had been secured, the crowning event in Father Slocum's 
career came when he announced that his his entire i)rivate fortune had been 
turned over to found the new hosi)ital, the estal)lishnienf of which had been one 
of his greatest desires 

b'rom time to time during his career the success and the many evidences of 
remarkable zeal and ability of the jiriest reached the fathers of the church in the 
higher offices and it was no great sur[)rise when the announcement came that 
Po]je Fius X had elevated him to the rank of domestic prelate, "protonotaries ad 
instar," and given him the title of very reverend and monsignor. 

He was elevated to that office on January 3, irp", at one of the most impres- 
sive and im[)osing ceremonies ever held in this state, the late Dishop Tierney 
])erforniing the office in person. 

Ri:v. JKKEMI.MI J. CUKTIX 

The Rev. Jeremiah J. Curtin, who came to W'aterlniry in 1895 as pastor of 
St. Francis Xa\ier Church, and whose death occurred on June 18, 1917, was 
one of the great factors in the spiritual growth of the community. 

Within two years from the beginning of his pastorate, he undertook to clean 
out the evil influences in the bounds of his parish as far as that was possible. 
He found that within its limits the saloons were flagrantly violating the law by 
selling liquor to children. When the owners resented his interference, he filed 
remonstrances against fourteen of them, engaged an attorney to plead his cause, 
and had every license permanently revoked. 

This was but the beginning of his battle for civic righteousness. He then 
fought for the Sunday closing of saloons, and that too he took into the courts, 
winning his victory only after a long legal struggle, in which appeals were taken 
to the higher courts. 

Xot satisfied with the work he had accomplished in his own parish, he extended 
• his battle from the limits of his ])arish on Baldwin Street to .Scovill I'ridge. 

leather Curtin was not an advocate of total abstinence, but he was against the 
abuse of any and all civic privileges. ITe was afraid of no man and held as an 
enemy all those who were lawless and backed every man who believed in law 
and order and good government. 

Father Curtin was forever fighting for civic betterments. There was hardly 
a single month in his Waterbury life in which he was not struggling for the open- 
ing of a street, the Iniilding of new sewers, the improvement of fire-fighting 
facilities, both within and without his parish. He was a lover of the beautiful 
and pleaded for sightly lawns and gardens. On this subject he wrote and even 
])reached. He was constantly using the papers for the advocacy of some much- 
needed civic betterment, and was never afraid to express his opinions over his 
own name. 

In his own parish he started societies for young men. He encouraged his 



W ATI'.RI'.LKV AXn riH'- .\AU(.ATLCK \ A[,LI•:^■ 135 

"lads" to go to night school, to acquire a tiiuiiilati<iii fur ^(jund liusiiK->> methods. 
In a word, he became a great moral power in the community, — jierhaps one of 
the greatest in its history. 

fie died after thirty-seven years of lahor a^ .i i atlidlic clergyman <in June 
iS. U)\J. at the rectory on Haldwin Street. 

F;itlu-r I'urtin was born in N'ew llritain, .Vpril i. 1S50. lie was educated in 
.St. Mar\'s I'.inichial .School in that city, from which he was graduated in 1872. 
In the fall of the sanu- year he entered Holy Cros-, ( ollege and was graduated 
in 1877. lie entered the t ir.ind .^^eminarN' al Montreal in Ibe s.ame year, and 
was ordained bv the .Most Rev. Monsignor I'.abre, archbi-bup (if Montreal, on 
December iN, |S,^.). 

[lis first apiioiiumenl in this diocese was as assistaiU to Rev, J. T. Mi'.Mabon. 
])astor of ."^1. .Marv's ('hurch and missions ,it ICa-t Hartford. < 'n XOvember 25, 
|SS_>. he was appointed assistant n> Rev. |. |. b'urlong of .St. I'.ernard's Church 
and missions of Rock\ille. lb- u.is .ajipointed jiastor of .^i. br.ancis .Xavier's 
(hurch .and nussions in Xew Milford, .and on Decemljer .:;. \X<)^. he came to St. 
I'rancis Xavier's Church (if W.alerbury. where he rcm.ained initil his death. 

[■"ather Curtin was ,1 man of su|ierior mental abilit\ and of a genial and 
friendly disposition. At Holy Cross College he was .1 brilliant student and went 
through the curriculum of seven years in six. He was the m,ana;;<r ol the iirst 
liaseball team that e\er rejiresented Holy Cross and took gre.it j.ride in follow- 
ing up the success of the college in .athletics. He received the degree' of 1!. .A. 
at'^lloly Cross College, and the de-ree of S. T. 1'.. al the 1 .r.ind Sennn.iry in 
Montreal. 

He said bis tirst mass in W .aterburv in the .\uditorium, in which place the 
members of his congregation first g.athered. He then built the church on Wash- 
ington Street, which is now known as Xaverien Hall. In 11)05. he built the 
present church of St. Francis Xavier. Cnder his care the parish grew from a 
mere handful of people to the present si/e. which b.is ,a congreg.ition of over 
three thousand people. 

^l'(;lV^■F.^• dan 

C)n luiie N, i()<)i, the Knights of Columbus of Creater Xew ^■ork made a 
pilgrimage to Waterbnrv to celebrate high mass in honor of the late Father 
A'lichael Y McCivnev, founder of the order. Father William J. Slocum delivered 
the sermon of the day. .At its close the pilgrims conducted a service at the grave 
of Father McCivney in St. Joseph's Cemetery. 

The order was founded at Xew Haven in |8.S_>, while leather McC.ivney, who 
was a native of W.aterburv, was stationed in that city. It was the solution of 
the problem of establishing a national beneficiary organization which would work 
in conformitv with the levels of the Konian Catholic Church. It was on April 27. 
1885, when the total memliership of the order was still less than a thousand 
that Waterbury Catholics organized Sheridan Council largely as ;i tribute to the 
founder, who was one of the notable priests produced b\- the Imm.aculate Con- 
ception Parish. 

.A feature of the jiilgrimage was the presence of two members of the Mc- 
Givney family. Rev. John J. and Rev. P. J. McCivney. both of whom spoke on 
the order of the Knights of Columbus. 



CHAPTER X 
CIVIC ARCHITFXTURE OF A QUARTER CENTURY 

BUCKINGHAM liUILDING, UNION DEP01% CITY HALL, CHASE OFFICE BUILDING AND 
WATERBURY CLUB LINCOLN BUILDING PLANNED BY FAMOUS NEW YORK ARCHI- 
TECTS COURTHOUSE PLANNED BY WILFRED E. GRIGGS, ONE OF MOST BEAUTIFUL 

STRUCTURES IN NEW ENGLAND FINE BUSINESS BLOCKS AND RESIDENCES, SUPERB 

WORK OF LOCAL ARCHITECTS THE VARIOUS ARCHITECTURAL PERIODS AND BUILD- 
INGS THAT ILLUSTRATE THEM WATERHURY's HOUSING PROBLEM. 

Walerbury is ideally located for architectural effects. Its wooded hills, rising 
gradually from a wide basin, have given its home builders and designers oppor- 
tunities of which they were not slow to take advantage. The effort in the last 
quarter century to make it a city beautiful has been thoroughly co-operative in 
the business section as well. There has never been any serious opposition to 
the widening of important thoroughfares, such as Bank and Grand streets, nor 
to the erection of city buildings of which its people may well be proud. No 
finer architectural effects can be found in New England than the present City 
Hall or the Waterbury Hospital, designed on classical lines by Robert Bacon 
of New York, which in its Parthenon-like facade brings out ideally the beauties 
of the strikingly effective location. 

Not alone have its own architects risen to the occasion, but they have been 
ably assisted by the best talent in America. 

McKim, Mead & White, the architects of some of the greatest buildings in 
America, planned the Union Station of the New Haven Railroad, a fine Italian 
Renaissance effect with a tower following the famous Campanile in Siena, Italy. 
The Buckingham Block, on Grand and Bank streets, was also designed by this 
famous firm. 

Of outside work, eillier finished or under way. the buildings designed by 
Cass Gilbert of New York will add most to the architectural beauty of Water- 
bury. The first of these is, of course, the new City Hall on Grand Street, a 
structure planned along Colonial lines. The others which are now under way are 
the Chase office building at Grand and Leavenworth streets, and the new 
Waterbury Club. In both of these structures, as with the City Hall, Mr. Gilbert 
is giving Waterbury buildings that will class with the finest in America. In the 
Chase office building, he has conformed to a great extent to the general lines of 
the City Hall Building on the opposite side of the street. Its effect is to be 
colonial. It will be four stories, with a 243-foot frontage on Grand Street and 
98 on Church and Leavenworth streets. The exterior will be of limestone and 
granite construction, with high fluted columns. The interior will be largely 
marble trim. The Waterbury Club Building is also Colonial in style. 

The Lincoln Building, on Field Street opposite the City Hall, constructed for 
the United Charities and recently occupied, was also planned by Cass Gilbert. 

The American Brass Company's massive office building, completed in 1913, 
was built from plans made by Trowbridge & Livingston of New York. It is of 

136 



W'ATERP.URV AXD THE NAU( iATlC K \-ALI.EY 137 

l)rick and slecl constniction, rirr])n]iif thri)Ui:,'h(Hit. and ils long, high corriddr witli 
its domed center is an I'xceedingly artistic effect. The hnilding is constructed on 
a partial crescent. 

lUlt the list of outside architects who ha\c had a hand in the planning of 
Inisiness hlocks, cluirches, schools and houses in \\'aterliur\- is a long one, and 
will apjiear as the article jirogresses. To local architects the greatest credit is 
due, for most of ils structures are home ]iroducts in which its citizens take .i 
comniendahle ]iride. 

The work of Wilfred V.. Criggs an<l of Theoijore 1'.. 1 'eck is especially n.itahle. 
These m.ay lie termed the deans of the profession in Watei'luiry. and their work 
adcjrns not alone the liusiness and residence secti<ins df this citv, hut is iu e\ idence 
in the suliurhan districts in the form of attractive coimtry homes. 

Terhajis the most [jretentious single huilding is the courthouse on Kendrick 
Street, from the jilans of Wilfred K. (iriggs. ancl completed in kkjS- Its 
general style is renaissance, and its pillars gi\-e it a maiestic appearance. /\s a 
matter of fact, it needs a wider street to hring out its manv architectural lieauties. 
In the same year he planned the five-story Elton llotel, which re])laced the old 
Scovill home, one of the l)est illustrations of tAiloinal architecture in the c-itv. 
It is to lie regretted that the building was not mo\ed to .mother location. 

The largest and finest equijiped office structure in W'a.terhurx is the l.illev 
Building, eight stories high. This was complete<l Iul\ i, hiu, and is of lh-e])roof 
construction, with reinforced concretu floors rmd partitions of g\psum hlocks. 
Its cost was approximately a (|uarter of a million. It contains _> large stores 
and 150 offices, and with ils douhle electric elevator service is the most mo<k'rn 
of the buildings in its class in Waterbury. This alsn is from the ]ilans of Mr. 
Griggs. 

The Masonic Temple, completed in 101 I. the four-story Hoys' t'lub on Cottage 
I'lace, built in kkh, the i )dd bVlkjws' ll.ill, dedicated in |X.)5. and liuilt on 
Venetian (lothic lines, the ^'oung Men's ('hristian Association, opi-neil in |S(|_'. 
which was a beautiful addition to the architecture of the (Ireen, and the 
Mattatuck Historical Society Museum are among the public buildings of wliich 
plans were furnished by Mr. (iriggs. 

To Theodore l'>. Peck also belongs the credit of nnich of the best aicliitectural 
work in Waterbury. Apothecaries' Hall, whicli was opened in iS()4. is still one 
of the finest of the city's business blocks. It is ideall\ Incited, with its frontage 
at the junction of South Main and Hank streets, the wide open space bringing 
out all the beauties of Mr. Peck's plans. Though built in the earlier ]ieriod of 
this (|uarter century, it is as impressive as any of those of more recent construction. 

'J'he Waterlmry American P)Uilding on Grand .Street, Iniilt in the same 
period, is from the plans of Mr. Peck. It was a matter of congratulation that it 
went through the conflagration of 1002 with but comparatively little damage. 
Perhaps the finest examples of the work of Mr. Peck in Waterbury are th.e 
Waterbury Industrial School Puiilding on Centr.al Avenue and the Citizens Ma- 
tional Bank Building facing on the Green. 

Another of his efl^ective designs is that made for the .Schlegel home on I'lowes 
Terrace, which has just been completed. This is one of the best illustrations of 
Romanesc|ue architecture in New England. To this should also be added the 
beautiful Colonial home built by Mr. Peck for C. E. .Spencer, Jr., on the Aliddle- 
bury Road, and recently occupied. 

Joseph A. Jackson, now of New ^'ork. but for years a Waterbury architect, 
has done much fine work here, particularly in the matter of clnn-ch and school 
construction. Erom his plans .are the convents of Xotre Dame and .St. Mary, 



138 A\ATi:Kr.l'RY AND TIJI*: XAUCXTL'CK \ALLEV 

St. I'airick's Hall, ihu Crosby Ilig'h School and ihc Bank and Clay street schools, 
lie drew the jjlans for some of the finest blocks built in the city since the fire, 
including the Jones-iMorgan Building, opened in 1903, the Republican Block on 
•Jrand Street, built in 1907, the Carroll at Willow and Pine streets, one of Water- 
bury's finest apartment houses, the Aldrich at 287-291 North Main Street, the 
judd Block, 158-160 Grand Street, built since the fire, the Manufacturers' National 
Bank Building, built in 1896, and the Moriarty Building, 161-167 East Main Street, 
built after the fire. 

The work of F.. E. licnedict, of i'reney & Jackson, of Lewis .\. Walsh, of 
Joseph T. Snfith. of C. Jerome Bailey, is everywhere in evidence, and has added 
nuich to the architectural beauty of the city. 

The last twenty-five years have witnessed what may be termed the trans- 
formation of the business section of the city. Crowth had much to do with this, 
for with added population came the need of many extensions. But the fire of 1902 
was by no means an insignificant factor in the architectural regeneration of the city. 
To this calamity Waterbury owes the uniformity which marks its blocks in the 
sections which were rebuilt, .\side from those already mentioned, there were 
built in 1903 such blocks as the Commercial Building, 110-112 Bank Street, built 
for \\ . 11. Camp, and planned by Griggs; the Cowell-thiilfoile Building, 186-196 
( irand Street, from jjlans by Joseph T. Smith ; the Holmes Building, 132-136 Grand 
Street, occupied in 1904: the Meigs liuilding, 103-109 Bank Street; the Mullings 
and Piatt buildings, 83-103 Bank Street, built from the plans of a Boston firm. 

One of the latest additions to the business blocks of Waterbury is the Democrat 
liuilding at (jrand and Canal streets, planned by Joseph T. Smith, which was com- 
pleted in 1916. The Standard Building, 14-20 North Main Street, which was built 
from the plans by Griggs in 1912, is now to be completely remodeled for occupancy 
ne.\t year by the Mohican Company. 

The Telephone Building, at 18 Leavenworth Street, was occui)icd in I<>14 and 
is from plans made by the company in its New York office. 

One of the most artistic of the business homes of Waterbury is the building 
at the corner of West Main and Leavenworth streets, built for the Colonial Trust 
Company from ])lans by Davis & Brooks of Hartford. It is not a large structure, 
but thoroughlv artistic and makes a valuable addition to the architecture at the 
Center. 

The Barlow. 59-67 (Jrand Street. Ijuilt from jjlans by Griggs, was j)Ut up in 
1909. The Boston I'Timiture Company Block, at South Main and Scovill streets, is 
from plans by Theodore B. Peck and is one of the best of the newer business build- 
ings of \\'aterbury. The Capitol Building. 30-34 North Main Street, from plans 
by C. Jerome Bailey, is an effective ])iece of business architecture. The Hamp- 
son Building. q\-q<) \\'est Main Street, which is from plans by Griggs, and one 
of the largest business blocks in the city, was built in 1910. The Truman S. Lewis 
block. 25-31 ^^ est Main Street, from the plans of Mr. Griggs, was erected in 1903. 
Rus-sell's Block, 149-55 I'.ank Street, from the ])lans of Joseph T. Smith, is also 
of comparatively recent construction. 

.-Vside from the Elton Hotel, Waterbury still lacks ])retentious hotel structures. 
Both the Kingsbury and llodson buildings are quite good looking edifices, but have 
been built upon older structures, a remodeling which can nc\er bring out the best 
in architecture. 

Waterbury is fortunate in ha\ ing some of the finest apartment buildings in New 
I'ngland. The Carroll and the Carrolton on Willow Street, from plans by Joseph 
r. Jackson, were put up in 1906 and i<)07, and are model structures of this class. 
So is The Buckingham, 292 \\'est ^fain Street, which is from plans by Griggs. 




riiK i)i:\iii( KAi AM) I in: r.Ai;i.(i\\ i;i iijum.-. \\aii;im!i l;^ 




I'AKT OK ■■|;A\KI:I!S' KdW.- SIIDWINC -I-IIK ll(l|._Mi:s 1 11 I I.I II \( ;. W ATKK lil' K V 



W \ii:ui;i k\ A\i) IN I- \\L<,\TL(K \.\i.i.i-'.> J:j:t 

.AniuiiL; i.ither aiiartniont l]uil<lin!4> that arc wditliy ni Hdticc and that ha\r achJrd 
to the arcliitirtiiral heauty nf W alerhur\ niav he iiiciitiiHU'd the Aldrich. 2Xj-2i)\ 
X(irth Main Slivct, fidni |jlaii> hy Idscjih 1. jackMin; the Allirniaiic. t'roni plan^ 
liy 'iri,L;,t;>; I'.cri^in's IWnck. 24i>-j^i, j-iM .Mam Street, and tlir I'.nlan, 3U-3J Mitcliell 
Avenue. Imth tiMni plans li\ l-"reney tS; Jackscm; the I'rederick. 70-S0 luist Main 
Sti-eet, fi-iim phms hy Thedddfe I'.. I 'eck ; the i len<hieken. J,\y Xorlh Main Street, 
t'roni |il.in> hy hi^eph T. Smith: tlie llitehooek. 1I14 W e^t M.iin Street, and the 
Xorllirop. iSj W e-t .Main Street. I'rom plan- hy < irii^L;- ; the \ leloria, jjS I'^.ist 
M.iin Street ; the Roy.d. 41 Cooke Street, ,ind the W esterly. i ,:; :; West M.im Street. 
It is i|nite eerl.iin now ih.it the next \e,ir will see the eumpletidn of the new 
>'. .M. ( .\. r.nildini^ on the she of the old r,;iptisi t htu'eh on ( .nnid Street. This 
V ill ni.ike th.it thin-on,L,dif.ire .1 \erit.ihle <i\ie eentei' I'lpr \\alerhnr\. 

Fhere are two pnhlie hnildin.ys.- -the llronson l.ilirai\ .ind the l'ostoti;ee. 
whieh eome into this (|n.irter centur\ pei-iod. d he I'.ronson l,ihr.ir\ was com- 
pleted, in .\n.i^nsi, iSi)4. and is fiimi plans li\ ( ad\. Hert; \ See. of .W'w ^'ork. 
It is of hrick', terr.i cotta .and tile const laietion. and in st_\le Italian Uenaisstmcc. 
lis nicist hcaiitifnl fe.ittn'c is nnc|nestionahl\ its <^re.at. o\ erh,ani;in^ mam cornice 
d'lie I'ostofhcc is nKjdeled on the artistic plan followed hy the (iovernmeni m the 
constrnction of ihest- huildini;- e\ er\ \\ lu'ie. It was completed ,Mid occn|iied in 
11)1)4. 

l\oii!.;hl\ estimated, there ha\i' heen added to \\ aterhnrx f.ictories in the past 
tw'eilt\-h\ (• \e;irs hnililins^s thai are v.ilued conser\ ativcK l)\ the ni.mnt.iciurers 
themselves at ahout lift\' nnllioii dollars. The slroiiL; tcniK'nc\- here in the past few- 
years has heen to reinforced concrete, .although most of the hnildinL; h.is heen wdiat 
may he termed of slow hurnin^ construction, which nie.ans he.i\\ plank floors. 
Ic.avini;" few places where lire can catch. Some of the ( h.ise. the \merican I'.r.ass. 
and the newer .'scoxill htiildiin;s are of I'einforced concrete, 

.\ \isit to tlu' factor) districts sIkjws ,a \.ist chan;;i- in the m.atter of constrtu'- 
tion in ;i dec.aile, I he oMer hnildin^s ,ire l.irLjeK hrick ; the newer ones are mostly 
steel sa-h .and -lass. The ( h.ise .Met.d Works, the ( hase Kollini; Mills and the 
\Vaterl)ur\ Manufactnrinv: to., which comprise the Chase interests, have e.xj)eniled 
several milliijn ilollars in impro\enients ilurin^; the past few ye.ars. The .\merican 
I'.rtiss Cci. has erected practic.alK all of its Waterhnrv liuildinLjs, riniodelini,; onl}- 
.a few of the old ones, in the past tweKe \ears. 

Perhaps the greatest amount of construction was done at the .Scovill works, 
and the additions to huildings during the war period alone have amounted to sev- 
eral millions. This work h.as heen in charge of TTitgh L, Thompson, civil engineer. 
The Waterhiiry h'arrcd Foundry \ Machine Co, has made hig improvements 
.and is Iniilding some model factories ;is tidditions to its equipment now, A list of 
those companies that ha\e huilt or .are huilding extensive additions wdll read almost 
hke a list of the factories of \\aterhury. Thus, the Bristol Co,, at Flatts Mills, 
has added one or more hiiildings e\ery year for ,a decade. The W'aterhttry Bat- 
tery Co.. I'.lak-e & Johnson. .Steele iS; lohnson. the .\merican .Mills Co.. the .Amer- 
ican I'in ( '0,. the Rowhottom Machine Co,, the Waterhurv lUitton Co,, the Water- 
htn-y Ruckle L'n.. Snnth \ Criggs, the Pilling Brass Co,, P.erliecker & Rowland 
Mi'g. I'o., Waterville, the Manufacture! s T<"oundrv Co., Plume ..K: .\twood Mfg, 
Co., are .among those who h.i\e hitilt e\tensi\el\- .along modern factorx' lines dur- 
ing the past few years. 

In church architecture'. W .iterhury has l.)cen exce|itionallv forttin.ate. Its most 
recent addition, tlie Rajetist I'hnrch, which is from plans h\- .\rchitect f'r.amer of 
Xew York, is classical in st\ le, .and entirely different from the ( iothic effect wdiich 
prevails so largelv in the construction of church huildings, St. .\ntie's and St. 



140 WATF.kr.URY AXD THE NAUGATUCK X'AIXEY 

Patrick's arc both pure Gothic. The Methodist Church, designed by George Kel- 
ler of IJartford, is severely Gothic. The Italian Church, on South Main Street, 
Our Lady of Lourdes, is a pure Italian Renaissance, and from the plans of Joseph 
A. Jackson of New York. St. John's and Trinity, of the Episcopal churches, are 
pure Gothic. The First Church Congregational is Victorian Gothic, and the Sec- 
ond Church Congregational is Romanesque. In practically all the other churches 
(jothic lines have been followed. 

Waterbury has many beautiful homes and they have followed, as in all Amer- 
ican cities, the trend of each particular architectural period. Thus, twenty-five 
years ago, the Queen Anne style prevailed. Later, came the Colonial ; from that 
the cities passed into a period of what is known as half-timbered construction ; 
then followed stucco houses, and now home building is going back to Colonial 
style. There was never much bungalow construction in Waterbury, for this pre- 
supposes level land and large acreages. 

It is a difficult matter to pick out the beautiful homes that ha\e gone up in 
the last twenty-five years as illustrations to typify periods, for while only one or 
two can be mentioned, many deserve really elaborate notices. This is true on 
practically all the good residence streets, such as the Boulevard, Central Avenue, 
Prospect Street, Holmes Avenue, Grove Street, Woodlawn Terrace, Hillside Ave- 
nue, Euclid Avenue, Clowes Terrace, upper Willow Street. Linden Street. There 
are also many beautiful homes in I.unker Hill, in Overlook and at Fairlawn Manor. 

Of the Queen Anne style cottages that were built in the first period of this 
quarter-century, the most typical is perhaps the Charles Benedict house, which 
afterwards became the Charles Miller House. Another is the home now occupied 
by R. ¥. (iriggs, but erected originally for Mrs. I\Iary Mitchell. Another is the 
home of the late Nelson J. Welton. All of these are on Hillside Avenue, and in 
their day were among the most prominent houses in Waterburj'. The old Doctor 
Rodman home, on North Main Street, .should be included in this list. 

Of the half-timlK>r construction, the best illustration is the Frisbie home at 
Grove and Prospect streets, planned by Davis & Brooks of Hartford. The home 
of Hugh L. Thompson on Pine Street, planned by the same architects, and the 
Charles Granniss home on Pine Street, are other good examples of this style of 
architecture. 

Of stucco houses there are many illustrations and some of very recent con- 
struction. The Sperry home, built by Davis & Brooks of Hartford, on Bucking- 
ham Street, and the Seeley home, on Buckingham and Pine, also from plans liy 
Davis & I'.rooks. are good illustrations of this style of architecture. So is the 
Arthur R. Kimball home, on Grove Street, and that of Miss Florentine E. Hay- 
den, on Pine Street, and that built by the late Mrs. Edwin Ilayden on the same 
street. 

The C(jl()nial period dates forward and back. In fact, some of the best homes 
that are now going uj) are of this style of architecture. The residence being built 
for Miss Martha Driggs, on Prospect Street, from plans by Murphy & Dana, New 
York, is an excellent illustration of this style. The Alfred Hart Colonial Home, 
on Buckingham .Street, just about completed, and which is from plans by Davis & 
Brooks, is a fine illustration of the modern application of this ancient American 
style of architecture. So is the II. L. Wade home, on Prospect Street, from plans 
by Griggs, and the Gilman C. Hill home, on the corner of Hillside Avenue and 
Pine Street, and that of John Kellogg, corner of Pine and Buckingham. The 
Paul D. Hamilton home, on Woodlawn Terrace, built a year ago, is an excellent 
example of the Colonial type of house architecture. It was planned by Wilfred 
E. Griggs. 




ii;tii ^ri:i;in i;i:siiii;\( i:, w A'n:i;i'.ri;v 




i:i.-ii>i;.\c'K OF JOHN 11. ia)ss, hii.i.sidk ax'kxii-:, w a m 



WATKRULKV AXU TIIF. XAL'( /.ATL I. K \ ALLEY 141 

<_)iU' ol tlic most l)eautifr.l re--iilences iiuw lu-int,' aililed to tlie loni; list of 
\\'aterl)ury"s rharmint,'' homes is tliat which is Ix-iny (diistriKiccl from plans hy 
TaylcM' i!t Levy of Xi-w \'ork for Lllon Waxland, on Woorllawn Tcrract-. 

This is a brick house, Imilt in the k'nyli^li I iolhic- st\le. Two heautiful homes 
designed hy Johannes of Xew York are heins; built on L'.iickinyham Street for 
John II. (ioss. These two homes are on the block which contains the IjeatUifiil 
(loss residence, btiilt about ten years ago in the J'dizabethan st\le. 

Another tine home which is now .going u]) on W'oodlawn Tenace is thai planned 
by Griggs for 'i'runian .S. Lewis. This is in Renaissance st\Ie and e.isily one of 
the most attractive homes in Waterbury. 

Rose Hill Cottage, on Prospect .Street, the ]r\'ing IL Chase home, is still one 
of the show places of Waterbury. ft was erected at a time when tliev Imilt largely 
for comfort and paid little attention to names. It would therefore he diflicult to 
designate it as illustrating any jiarticular style of architecture, but it remains one 
of the beautiful homes of Waterlniry. 

There are not many buildings in the city built with the old tile roof and 
shingles. The I'rederick .S. Chase home, on (iro\e .^street, next to the Kimb.dl 
home, is a good illustration of this, ,ind shows how elTectively this little-used style 
of architecture responds to |iractical use. 

The home of Miss Helen Chase, on Crove Street, designed by I'r.im, ( ioodvear 
and Ferguson of New ^'ork, is a typical English country house. The home of 
\V. S. R. \\'ake, at the upjier end of \Mllow Street, is also built largely on th.is 
English country home style, and with its large acreage is one of the real residence 
attractions of the city. 

The C. P. Coss home, designed by Theodore P.. Peck, ,-ind located ;it the corner 
of Hillside Avenue and Pine, is another of these old country home structures 
which look as cosy from the outside as they .are on the inside. 

W.VTERrU'Rv's IKifSINi; I'Rnl'.LKM 

The housing problem has been perhaps the most im])ortant economic outcome 
of the war period. Soon after the beginning of hostilities, with the enormous 
munition orders and the vast increases in Waterbury's factory e(|uipments, the 
tremendous growth and expansion of the city soon began to manifest itself in the 
lack of suitable and adequate housing facilities, especially for the inflowing foreign 
population. The supply of vacant houses and living (|uarters was quickly ex- 
hausted, thereby multiplying the difficulties and hardships already prevalent in the 
congested districts. 

These serious conditions immediately aroused several of the leading industrial 
organizations to activity, which resulteil in the formtilation of comprehensive plans 
and means for relieving the condition by construction of workmen's houses. 

The first meeting of those interested in providing a more adequate supply of 
suitable houses for workingmen in Waterbury was held on Thursdav evening, 
-February lo, 1016. It had already been made evident that the pressing need just 
at present was a greatly increased supply of low-priced houses or apartments for 
Waterburv workingmen. Therefore, it was decided that the main effort of the 
committee should be exerted towards this end. 

At that meeting, at the suggestion of the heads of some of the largest plants 
in the city. John Nolen, of Cambridge, Mass., submitted an outline as a ])roposed 
general method of procedure in the investigation. 

On February 14, 1916, Mayor Scully appointed the following members of the 
Waterbury housing committee : E. S. Hunt, Eugene Kerner, R. A. Cairns, F. S. 



142 WATI-.Rl'.L'RV AXl) 11 fl", X.\U( ;.\TICK \ \I.I.1-.V 

Chase. I.J'. ICltoii, John H. CJoss. Mr. Hunt was made chairman and Mr. Kerner 
sccrelary. .\l Mr. Nolen's request, this committee sent out a questionaire, to which 
tiiere was a jjencral resi)onse. This gave a basis of exi.sting conditions. 

In tlie .\olen re])ort, the recommendation was made that the main effort be put 
u|)on ])ro\iding single-family dwellings for Class A. that is. for the family whose 
weekly income exceeds its weekly expenses by an amount sufficient to enable it, 
within a reasonable period, to become the owner of its home. This family, in 
Mr. .Volen's opinion, was best i)rovided for in the single family detached or the 
double semi-detached house, but the building operation was not to be confined to 
.•my one type of house. In fact, because of the difference in taste and personal 
])referencc. ;ill the a])])r(>\e(l types submitted should be used. But some single- 
family bouses c(im]jletely detached, on lots not less than 50 by lOO. should be 
included in the main. Class A should be provided for in outlying sections where 
the laving out of land and the building operation could be sufficiently large to 
secure the ad\antages of wholesale contracts, efficient management and careful 
l)l;inning of the area by a landscape architect along advanced garden suburb lines. 

lie also recommended that the best methods of ])roviding for Class B, that is, 
for the familv that has acf|uired title to a building lot, but has not yet built u])()n 
it. is to do e\erylhing that the committee can do to remove the obstacles: 

I .A ) That suitable house plans be obtained through an architectural competition 
for which liberal prizes should be offered. 

( li ) That money be made more readily available thnnigli the organization of 
co-operative banks or building and loan associations. 

(C) That the advantages of other buildings that will be undertaken for Class .V 
should be shared with Class B. The extent of this building would in itself stimu- 
late interest and ])robably enable the committee to give the lot owner a building 
at a lower contract than would otherwise be possilile. The houses in Class 1! will 
be almost entirely in ])artly built-u]) sections. 

He further recommended that pro\ision for Class C, that is, for the family 
whose weekly exjienses ])ractically equal its weekly income, be made partly by 
renting the other house in the double house unit owned by a family in Class A, 
])arlly by building for rent groups of houses of the types common in I'hiladelphia 
and well-illustrated by the Octavia Hill .Association, and by the Improved Hous- 
ing Co. of New Haven, and by the cottage flat of the Toronto Housing Co., Ltd., 
.and ])artlv bv tenements that will be vacated when belter houses become avail- 
able. 

The movement languished for some months, InU later the heads of the fac- 
tories personally took up the ipieslion of proper housing, and important develop- 
ments followed. In the summer of igi6, two such developments were initiated 
;md ordered under construction by the .Scovill Mfg. Co. and the .American Brass 
Company. These housing developments have already been completed and are 
now in successful operation and use, being occupied by families who arc well satis- 
lied and greatly delighted in having secured, at moderate cost, dwellings which 
represent, and are so considered by experts, the best effort in the field of economic 
housing. 

Of the several developments carried out by the industries above referred to, 
the operation conducted l)y the Scovill Mfg. Co., which consists of one- family 
brick attached houses, re])resents both stnicturally and architecturally an ideal 
type of workmen's dwellings. 

In July, T916, the W. (i. Lynch Realty Co. was brought here for consultation 
with John H. Goss of the Scovill Alanufacturing Co.. resulting subsequently in 
the submission of plans for the erection of fifty dwellings of a type known as a 
six-room one-faniilv house. 







■niK sciii.KcKi. i;ksii)KN(k. \vA'rKi;i:n;\ 




KKSIIIKNC I-; OK .lollN MdiiTII ISlKKALi.. (HrKCH STKKKT. WATKIMUi; V 



W A ri'.RUl kV WD TlIK XAi:( lATLl K X'Al.l.l'.V 14:; 

111 Aiij^UMt. ii;i(i, ground was broken on an easily-accessible tract of land (jwned 
by the Scovill Mantifactnrint^' (_o. At the outset a 1,'roup of fi\e honses was iniine- 
diatelv constructed and suld to the employees of the conijjany. At the same time 
efforts were directed toward the immediate completion of one of these buildings, 
so as to exhibit the structure as a sample house, with the result that apjilications 
for these houses became so numerous that the Sco\ill Mamifacliirint; Co. ordered 
the erection of 137 dwellings in all. 

Although these dwellings W'ere erected in rows ci)\ering st'vtral bluck^. a most 
p'easing effect was created liy breaking the nidnolnny of the liDiises through \ar\- 
ing the architecture of the fronts in groups of from two to fnur dwellings. In 
exterior design and treatment, these grou])s inclutle the Dutch. l'"ni;lish. Italian 
and Colonial types, and are extremely pleasing in appearance. In man\- instances 
front elevations were also modified, as circumstances and economic practice per- 
mitted, by altering the lines of the masonry and ])orches, careful study lieing given 
likewise to creating effective color schemes in order to emphasize the wirious 
styles of architecture of the groups. In this manner the severity (if the long, 
straight lines of tile buildings was broken and made Id li.irnKinize with the natural 
contour of the land and grades of adjacent streets. 

The houses in the .Scovill develo]iment are built (in standard >ize street blocks, 
having a width of _'(X) feet from street to street. This space is suli-di\ided and 
'Uilized as folldws: .\n area (if -'4 feet in depth i^ reserved in front of the dwell- 
ings adjacent to tlie street, the hdu^es nie.isuring :;_• feet in ile])tli with a 20-foot 
courtyard in the rear and a K.i-foot ser\ice .alley for commercial ]im'piises. ;md .1 
r4-foot S])ace reserxed for ]iark ;ind pla)gr(iund purposes. 

The houses measure lii feet between the cc-nter^ of p.irt\ walls iind ^j feet in 
depth. The buildings .are constructed of brick m.asunry, erecleij nn substantial 
concrete foundations supported by ni.assive concrete footings. 

The area in front of the dwellings was filled in lor the purpose of creating a 
terraced space in front of each house. These terraces are. in e\erv instance, neath- 
regulated and graded, and conform to the grade of the adjacent streets. 

At the rear of each house a door opens directly into the basement at the grade 
of the courtyard. The basements contain hot air furnaces, hot w^ater boiler, gas 
hot water heater, coal bins, and stationary wash tubs, and also ample storage space. 
The basement floors are cemented and the concrete walls are wdiitevvashed. In 
fact, these b.asenients are so light, dry and airy that in many cases they .are being 
used as summer kitchens, 'khe cellar can also be entered from the kitchen. 

The kitchen contains many f.acilities. such as gas stoxe and jiantrv, sink and 
hot and cold water. 

The house contains six rooms and bath. I~.verv roijm opt-ns either to the front 
or to the rear and is proxided with large windows. .All rooms h;i\e direct ventila- 
tion, the liathroom being lighted .ind ventilated by large overhead ventilating sk\- 
lights. 

The hcnises are electric lighted throughout, with indirect lighting fixtures in 
dining and living rooms. Electric li.ght wires run in conduits for service for the 
entire development, running through the foundations along the rear of each row- 
inside the found.ition w.dls. each house having its own outlet. Telephone conduits 
run in the s.-mie manner .along the front of each cellar, with seiiarate outlets for 
each house. 

The first fifty houses were sold at $3,000 each. Tlie next twenty were sold at 
.S3.C100. The material for the lirst liftv houses was bought when the contract was 
placed, but when the contract was increased, the ]irices of materi.al had advanced. 

W'aterbury is an e\]iensive city to build in. howe\er. because of its hilly con- 



144 WATlCRISfRV AND THE NAUGATUCK \ALLEY 

tours and rocky soil wilh water pockets, fretnicntly jiroducing swampy conditions. 
Even with present prices of materials, this house, slis,ditly modified, should be pro- 
duced for approximately two thousand five hundred dollars, wherever expensive 
blasting;, filling, excavating and undcrdrainage can be avoided. 

The housing develojiment undertaken by the American Brass Co. differs ma- 
terially from that of the Scovill development, the American IJrass Co.'s being pat- 
terned after a high class residence park, and on a scale which in every respect 
m.eets with the requirements of their employees. 

Briefly described, their development encompasses a tract or land, about twelve 
acres, in the eastern section of the city, two miles from the main center. Improve- 
ments were undertaken in September, 1916, which consisted at first of regulating 
and grading the street system after a carefully designed plan which preserved the 
natural features of the property, at the same time creating a residence park effect. 

The main entrance to the property is at East Main Street, near Mad River, 
which flows through a part of the property. The entire property contains approx- 
imately eighty-five building sites, the average dimensions of which are 50 by 100 
feet. 

The engineering features throughout the entire property are carefully designed 
and substantially executed. The tract is provided with all improvements, such as 
gas, city water supply, sewerage, electric lighting for streets and houses, well 
regulated and graded streets, park and playground reservation, surface water 
drainage, and a private park along the Mad River, for the use of the residents. 
Sidewalks and well-kept lawns are also provided. 

The first group of buildings erected on the premises consisted of twenty frame 
dwellings, so spaced as to provide ample area in front of each dwelling to the 
street lines. 

The average dwelling is about 25 by 23 feet, and contains a living room, dinmg 
room and kitchen on the first ffoor. and three bedrooms on the second floor, with 
bathroom. 

The foundations of these structures are of first-class concrete masonry, on 
footings of the same material. The cellar floors are concreted and cemented, and 
the cellars may be entered from the inside and outside of the dwellings. 

Immediately prior to the completion of the first group of twenty dwellings, the 
American Brass Company decided to erect eight additional structures, but of a 
type superior in some respects to those in the first group. 

Of the thirty dwellings erected by the company under this housing ])roject, 
practically all have been sold, and in some instances, selections were made by the 
employees before the structures were placed on sale. The families occupying 
these houses speak \ery highly of them, and are well satisfied and contented with 
their purchases. 

The Chase Metal Works have thus far constructed ten model houses, much on 
the plan of the Scovill buildings, and this is to be greatly increased in the near 
future. 

The Oakville Company has also now started with a group of ten model houses, 
which is to be greatly extended next spring. 

The Waterbur)' Tool Company, under the personal direction of its president, 
Horace G. Hoadley, has erected at one end of its large holdings nine model houses, 
which are rented to employees. A street has been made and five of these homes 
are on one side, four on the other. Two of them are five-room and the others 
six- room cottages. They are modern in every respect and make ideal homes at 
nominal rents. The company has also erected two double houses, in the Bunker 
Hill section. These are for four families. The twin houses have twelve and 




WKST MAIX SI'KKKT. FHOXT OF HODSON'8, WATERnURY 



4^ np0r ^ 




WKST MAIN s'n;i;KT Ai;i iirri:( TiRK. \VA■^l■;l;l;^l;^ 

Fn.iii li'tt t(i li-lit: (oloniMl Tiii-t l ..iii|.;ui\ ; llain|.>un ninl l.ill.\ r.uil.lii' 
Vic'Wtd fiiim the •jrcin. 



WATER 1;L"RV AXU THE NAUCiATLXK \'ALLE\' 145 

fourteen rooms, rcsfiectively, making two six-room dwellings and two seven-room 
dwellings. 

Aside from the splendid work done I)y the larger manufacturers in the way of 
improving housing conditions, there has been a decided growth in the way of home 
construction in all parts of the city, particularly in the eastern and mirthwestern 
sections. 

In 1914 the building record shows permits taken out totaling in value $1,800,- 
000. Of these 53 were for frame tenement houses, each for three or more fami- 
lies. These provided for over twelve hundred people. In addition there were 70 
frame and 8 brick buildings erected. 

In 1915 the total iiermits numbered 748, and the value of buildings erected 
increased to $2,600,350. Sixty-four were buildings erected to house from two 
to six families each, and 105 separate dwellings made up the records of home 
building for that year. 

In 1916 the record shows 1.10(1 (lerniits, \alue $4,270,000. Of these permits 
the bulk was for factory constructinn. The number of frame tenements budt for 
three or more families was qi. The number of buildings for two or more families 
was 8, and the number of separate frame dwellings was 217. 

Eor 1917 the record shows the same proportionate gain ;uid u]i to November 
1st the permits for dwellings and tenements issued eijualed or \-ery nearly efiualed 
the total of 19 16. 



CHAPTER XI 
BANKlNCi AND INSURANCE 

CAPITAL AND SUK1'I,US OF ALL VVATICRIUJRV liANKS DEPOSITS A FIVE YEAR 

RECORD OK CLEARINGS THE YEAR 1916 A BANNER PERIOD FOR DEPOSITORS IN 

SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS MONEY LARGELY INVESTED IN MORTCIAGES ON WATEK- 

liLRY REAL ESTATE HISTORY OF ALL THE BANKS AND TRUST COMPANIES- — LIST 

OF OFFICIALS, PAST AND PRESENT RECENT INSURANCE HISTORY. 

In 1892 there were in Waterbury seven banks and these, including the savings 
institutions, had a banking capital of $1,350,000. For a town which by the census 
of 1890 had a population of less than thirty thousand, this was a splendid show- 
ing, and in the total deposits of between $6,000,000 and $7,000,000 reflected the 
growing industrial wealth of the community. 

From the reports issued by the national banks and trust comjjanies of Water- 
bury in the summer of 1917 and by the savings banks on October i, 1916 (the 
date of the last annual report to the State Banking Department), it is found that 
the total deposits in the banks of Waterbur\' are now $44,300,748.50. The capital 
stock and surplus of the national banks and trust companies, aside from the 
exclusive savings banks, is approximately three million dollars. Of this $1,168,- 
451.20 represents the surplus. 

In publishing these figures it is perhaps well to add that they do not represent 
the full amount of what may be termed Waterbury deposits. As a matter of 
fact, there are today in Waterbury several concerns whose business is so extensive 
as to compel the additional use of New York banks for purposes of deposit and 
for draft facilities. It is utterly impossible to ascertain even apj)roximately the 
volume of this business, some bankers placing it at 10 per cent of the totals for 
Waterbury commercial banks, others as high as 25 per cent. 

The capital and suri)lus of national banks and trust companies are as follows: 

Capital and Surplus. 

Waterbury National Bank $ 900,000.00 

Colonial Trust Co 935,451.20 

Citizens National Bank 450,000.00 

Manufacturers National liank 300,000.00 

Merchants Trust Co 188,000.00 

Waterburv- Tiiist Co 255,431.35 

Total $3,028,882,55 

Deposits of all banks of Waterbury at dates given above are as follows : 

DEPOSITS OF WATERBURY HANKS. I917 

(Savings Banks, October i, 1916) 

Waterbury Savings Bank $10,176,870.80 

Dime Savings Bank 7,107.324.24 

146 



w A I l■:I^:^.^l^;^' axd nih: x \r<. ati ( k \ ai.i.i'A' 

Coldiiial 'rru--t (D 7,033,538.01) 

Citizens Xaliuiial liaiik 3,rK30,ooo.o<j 

Manufacturers National I lank 4.of:x.).445.oij 

VVaterbury X'ational Bank 3,S83,i)S3. 10 

VVaterbury Trust L'o 3, 102, 321 (.44 

\W'St Side .Sa\ini^s I lank j. 143,7(1(1.34 

Alcrcii.anls ■^ru^t Co 1 .7i>_'.4i)i .40 



■|'"t;il S44.,^' '0,74X50 

The sa\ini;s li.ank (lc|iosits on < )ctolKT 1, inij. wert- : \\ alerliurv .'^avin.i;^ ll.ank. 
$10,091,552.04; Dime .S,-i\'in.t,fs I'.ank. S;7,( 130.444. ji 1 ; \\\-si .^iiU- Sa\iniis I'.ank, 
S2,667.732.4i. 

■| II I', w A I I ki;i l;^ 1 i.i' \i;i .\r, iiorsi-; 

It !■- now U\v years ^iiu'e tile W'.iteiiiury t leariiiL; llou--e w.is eslalilisheil li\- 
'.he eoniniereial hanks. Its wcirk is dime in each hank. :ilternatel\ I'nr iwn months. 
.\t present the nianat^cr nf the t k'.irini; I lun^e is Lewis S. Reed, \ ice ]ifesident of 
the Manufacturers X'atiim.d I'.ank. 

The lalile of cleariiit^s which fnlkiws does mil relliii the tdtal husiness cleared 
inoiithlv hv the hatiks of \\.ateihui\, lor there is ^lill nuuli cif ilu' luisiness done 
hy each hank liy the old self-clciriiii^ method. 

The t'learint,^ House made its lirst rc|iort un .M.ircli 31. lou. and the record 
hy months, showini,' compar.atix c lis^iires. np \i> .M.ircli 1. 1017. is as follows: 

ICII-'-IOI3 I01,vl0l4 I0I4-IOI5 IOI5-I0IO I11II1-IIM7 

March .$ 3,o5(),(kx:) ."f^ 3.i)_'i,7o<) ."^ 4,(i4S,5oo ,< 4,5_'o,4oo ,S 7,442,300 

.\pril ,v')7*''.sOt) 4,4X7,41111 4.7'^' -.'v'" 5,0(15.000 x.3()5.joo 

May 4,240,6(X) 4,330,(100 4,427,200 5.,V>,v5oo o.3i«i,7oo 

June 4,1(^3,500 4.387,300 4,iK)7,4oi) (1.145,7011 o,i4N.Soo 

hdy 3.S()o,2iKi 4,15(1.000 4.''3,v.sOii (i,io2,chiii i).(xn,8o<i 

Autjust .v400,7<io 3. ,'^02, 300 3.(iio,So(i 5. ,1.^1.400 7,72(1,200 

.Se])teniher .... 3,295,500 3,1)23, uxt 3,5(iO,(«)() 5,(105,300 8.333,100 

October 4,144,000 4,721.31x1 4,35.*s,20<) (i,(i75,<)00 0.550,600 

November .... 4,156,800 3,986,700 3.053. 3o<) (i,(m)(),7oo 9.(>50,ioo 

December .... 3,7(j6,ocw 4,273.700 _^,^(,^_z,o(> 7,33'i,8oo 10,013,700 

January |,3<)i,8oo 4,588,300 4.()(j5,70o .'-^,424,<xxi 11,174,700 

February 3,050,800 3.843,000 4,134,400 6,805,800 8,807,600 

."-^46.181,0110 ."^50.431,300 ."^51 ,()88.4(i() ."^74,1 1(1.300 .Sio8,,X 44. ,800 

The bankers of Waterlniry. largely through the (clearing Mouse .\ssociation. 
hn.t with the close co-operation of the sa\'ings hanks, organized the work of selling 
VVaterbury's quotas for both the hrst and second TJlierty T.o.ans with such success 
Ih.at in both instances the city e.xceedeil its quota. 



It is in the records made b\- the saxings banks of \\'aterbur\- that the prosperity 
of the city is most clearly reflected. The year loid was the banner jieriod in the 
history of the city, and the figures which follow ,are little shcn-t of ]ihenomenal in 
the matter of growth. The \e,ir 1017 showed :i continuing increase, both in the 
net increase of depositors and in the amount of dei-iosits, but the Liberty Loans 



148 



W .\l'i:Ri!URV AXl) Till': NAUGATUCK X'ALLEY 



had their elTecl here, as well as elsewhere, in diverting a considerable amount of 
savings into that patriotic channel. 

The following table compiled from the state report of date October i, 1916, 
are illuminating on the savings bank records of this phenomenal year. To make 
an accurate total there should be added like records from the savings department 
of the Manufacturers National, from which, as it is under federal control, no 
statement of purely savings (U'posits is available. Its savings accounts numlier 
about seven thousand. 

Number of 

accounts opened X'umberof 
- October, 1915 accounts closed Net 

to October, 1916 same period (Iain 

Dime Savings Hank 5,276 2,990 2,286 

VVaterbury Savings Bank 4,815 1,882 2,933 

West Side Savings Bank 2.247 ^'^47 ' ,400 

Waterbury Trust Co. (Savings Dept.) 1,525 600 925 

Merchants Trust Co. (Savings Dept.j 745 296 449 

.\mount 

de])0sited Amount 

October, 1915. withdrawn Net increase 

to October, 19 1 6 same period in deposits 

Dime Savings Bank $2,711, 781.78 $1,594,265.95 $1,1 17.515-83 

Waterbury Savings Bank 3,367,621.83 1,820,780.98 1,546,831.20 

West Side Savings Bank 1,185,974.98 590,894.58 595,080.40 

Waterburv- Trust (Savings) 947,705.25 488,097.69 459,607.56 

Merchants Trust (Savings) 622,152.81 235,748.23 386,404.23 

.$8,835,236.65 $4,729,787.43 $4,105,449.22 

The amounts deposited include interest credited for the year. 

Number of 
depositors 
having less 
than .$1,000 Amount 

Dime Savings Bank 17.369 $2,838.4()4.43 

Waterbury .Savings Bank 12,983 3,148,146.15 

West Side Savings Bank 4.''>59 i.oio,9()5.23 

Waterbury Trust (Savings) 2,383 462,468.34 

Merchants Trust (Savings ) 1,937 298,550.90 

39.331 $7,758,655.05 

Number of 

depositors 

having $1,000 

to $2,000 .Amount 

Dime Savings Bank 1,383 $1,794,477.90 

Waterbury Savings Bank 1.795 2,406,714.28 

West Side Savings Bank 412 544,233.12 

Waterbury Trust (Savings) 172 214,481.90 

Merchants 'iVust (Savings) 1 1 1 145,361.15 

3.873 $5,105,268.35 



\\ATi-:Rr,L'KV AXD THE XAlKiATL'CK \ALLEV 14'J 

Number of 
depositors 
liaving $2,000 

to $10,000 Amount 

Dime Savings Bank ()S6 $2,291,686.31 

Waterbury Savings Bank 027 3,299,372.89 

West Side Savings Bank 180 543,101.52 

Waterbury Trust (Savings) 123 424,068.07 

Merchants Trust ( Savings ) j^ 297,227.56 



I. oft) $6,(,55,448.35 

Number of 
depositors 
having over 

$10,000 .Amount 

Dime Savings Bank 13 $ 182,665.60 

Waterbury Savings Hank 28 .^75. 595-03 

West Side Savings 4 45,436.23 

Waterbury Trust ( Sa\ings) 9 r 10,522.41 

Mercliants I'rusl ( Sa\ ingsj 8 161.887.00 

62 $ 876,107.17 

Including tile ^a\ ing^ (ie|iartmcnt nf llu' .Manufacturers Nation.il, whicli has 
about seven tliousand accounts ami sa\ings (K'posits of .■i]ipro.\im.;acl_v one million 
six hundred thousand dollars, there were in Waterbury on C )ctobcr I, Ii)i6, close 
to fifty-two thousand \\\o hundred and eighty distinct savings deposits, amounting 
to $22,2()5.478. (_)f these o\er twenty-two hundred, ranging from two thousand 
dollars to ten thiiusand dullars, and approximately forty-two hundred, ranging 
from one thousand dollars to two thousand dollars. 

(Ine of the gratifying evidences of the helpfulness of the sa\ings b.'inks in the 
growth of the community lies in the nature of the investments made. All of them 
are heavy holders of mortgages on Waterbury real estate. In the case of the 
Waterbury Savings Bank, the amount loaned on Waterbury real estate amounts to 
nearly four million dollars, and in the other savings institutions, proportionately 
as much. The West Side has over seventy-five per cent of its deposits loaned on 
Waterbury real estate. 

The Morris Plan Bank of \\\aterbury. with cai)ital stock of $56,204 paid in, 
was organized in August, 1915. and opened for business September 30, 1916. 
According to its report filed with the state October i, 1916. it had loans outstand- 
ing amounting to $85,415. Its officers are as follows: President, .Arthur R. 
Kimball; vice presidents, John H. (loss. John P. Elton; secretary and treasurer. 
Curt T. Illing; directors, Bennett Bronson, John B. Burrall, Terrence F. Car- 
mody, Irving H. Chase, George A. Driggs, Theodore I. Driggs, John R. Hughes, 
John P. Kellogg, Arthur R. Kimball, Theodore Lilley, Fred E. Linder, Frederick 
G. Mason, Charles T. McCarthy. George Rockwell, Archer J. Smith, Charles E. 
Spencer, Jr., Leavenworth P. Sperry. Arthur D. Variell. Harris Whittemore, 
B. P. Merriman. 

This is, of course, purely a loan bank, organized on a jilan extending all o\'er 
the country with a view to keeping those who are in need of imniciliate funds in 
small amounts from coming into the clutches of loan sharks. 



150 WATF.RniRY AND THE XAUGATL'CK \ALLEY 

WATi:UI!UKV SA\Ii\GS 13ANK 

The W'aterbury Savings Piank is the oldest savings bank in Waterbury, hav- 
ing been founded by F. J. Kingsbury in 1S50. It has now grown to be the largest 
bank in Western Connecticut. 

In 1892, the forty-second year of its existence, its deposits amounted to a 
little over three million dollars. Ten years later, in iyo2, nearly two million more 
had been added to the deposits, and on October 1, 1912, the amount on deposit 
in the bank was $6,901,087.13. making another $2,000,000 addition. During the 
period of four years and four months, from October i, 1912, to February i. 
1917, the bank has had a phenomenal growth, due to the corresponding growth 
of the city in size and wealth. The deposits on February i. 1917, were $10,176,- 
S70.80, belonging to 17,096 depositors. Nearly four million dollars of this amount 
was loaned on mortages on W'aterbury real estate. Thus the bank, during the 
long period of its existence, has not only kept these many millions of deposits 
safely, but has greatly assisted the city and its people by providing large sums 
of money towards the building of homes and business buildings. 

F. J. Kingsbtiry, the founder of the bank, who during his long life, occupied 
a very prominent position in the life and affairs of the city, was secretary and 
treasurer, — the chief executive officer, — from 1850 to 1909, when he became 
assistant treasurer, which office he held at the time of his death on September 30, 
1910. To his wise management was due in large measure the strength of this 
large institution. 

On January i, ujof), Edwin S. Hunt, the present secretary and treasurer, 
became connected with the bank as assistant treasurer. Mr. Hunt, at the time 
of his election, was a practicing lawyer in Waterbury and had been tax collector 
during the years 1904 and 1905. On Mr. Kingsbury's retirement, in i(X)9. he 
became secretary and treasurer, which jjosition he still holds. 

In 1892, Edward L. F'risbie was president of the bank, which office he con- 
tinued to hold until 1909, the time of his death. His familiarity with the city, 
his knowledge of real estate values, and his shrewd common sense were of great 
value to the bank. On Mr. Frisbie's death, George E. Terry was elected presi- 
dent, and still holds that office. 

In 1892 the directors of the bank were Edward L. I'^isbie, F. J. Kingsbury, 
X. J. Welton, J. W. Smith. George E. Terry. F. L. Curtiss, A. S. Chase. E. D. 
Steele and J. M. Fmrrall. In 1917 all of these men are dead except Mr. Terry. 

During the period from i8t)2 to 1917. Edward T. Root became a director, and 
died in 1910. Charles V.. Lamb, who was long associated with the bank as teller, 
was also a director, and died in i<K)6. Mention should also be made of Frederick 
P,. Merriman, who faithfully served the bank as teller and bookkeeper for many 
years and died in 191 3. 

The present officers and directors are: Cleorge E. Terry, president: Robert 
F. Clriggs. vice president: Edwin S. Hunt, secretary and treasurer: Almon B. 
Dayton, assistant treasurer; directors. George E. Terry. James S. Elton. Henry 
A. Hoadley. Henry L. Rowland. Robert F. Griggs. John P. Kellogg. John H. 
Goss. John A. Coc. and Edwin S. Hunt. 

The bank has done business in the same place, on the corner of North and 
West Main streets, during the sixty-seven years of existence. In 1896 it erected 
the present handsome Waterbury Savings Bank Building. The banking rooms 
were re-arranged and greatly imi)ro\ed in 1915. During all of its existence the 
savings bank has had the Citizens National Bank as a tenant, the two banks hav- 
ire been founded by Mr. Kingsbury and somewhat closely associated during the 



\\AT!-:RI]L:RY AXD the X.\U(iATUCK VALLEY 



151 



earlier part of the period. They still occupy quarters in the same building, though 
their management is now entirely distinct and separate. 



THE DIME S.\VIN(_;S BANK OF W.\TERBUR^' 

The Dime Savings Bank of VV'aterbury received its charter from the General 
Assembly at the May session in 1870. 

The incorporators were: Guernsey S. I'arsons, Henry Merriman, Henry C. 
Griggs, Robert Crane, Douglas F. Maltby, Robert K. Brown, Elisha Leaven- 
worth, Thomas C. Morton, Owen B. King, Charles A. Warren, Caleb T. Hickcox, 
Francis Spencer. Alonsoii J. Pickett, and John LL Whittemore. 

On July 6, 1870, Elisha Leavenworth was elected president; Robert Crane, 
Thomas C. Morton and Henry C. Griggs, vice presidents ; Guernsey S. Parsons, 
secretary and treasurer, with the following trustees, Guernsey S. Parsons, Henry 
C. Griggs, Douglas F. Maltljy, Elisha Leavenworth, Owen B. King, Caleb T. 
Hickcox, Theodore L Driggs, John W. Smith, Henry Merriman, Robert Crane. 
Robert K. Brown, Thomas C. Morton, Charles A. Warren. I'"rancis .Spencer, 
Isaac E. Newton, Charles W. Gillette, Samuel S. Robinson. 

The first location of the bank was at i Central Row, later moving to what is 
now known as 30-34 North Main Street. In iS()4 the bank purchased the P. B. 
Norton property, at the corner of North Main Street and .Abiiott Avenue, whicli 
it has used as a banking house since then. 

The following is a complete list of the trustees to date: 



Elisha Leavenworth. 
Douglas F. Maltby. 
Henry C. Griggs. 
Thomas C. I\Iorton. 
Charles W. Gillette. 
Isaac E, Newton. 
Frederick A. .Spencer, 
(iuernsey .'^. Parsons, 
.^amuel .S. Robinson. 
William Brown. 
Theodore I. Driggs, 
Robert K. Brown. 
John \\'. Smith. 
Francis Spencer. 
Henry Merriman. 
Robert Crane. 
Owen B. King. 
Charles A. Warren. 
Caleb T. Hickcox. 



Julius Bronson. 
John H. Nettleton. 
( ieorge F. Perry. 
George 1!. Pierpont. 
Meritt Heniinway. 
.Arthur O. Shepardson. 
George Prichard. 
Edwin LI. Lathrop, 
Edward T. Turner, 
Norman D. Granniss. 
Buell Hemin\\:i\ . 
Henry H. Peck.' 
Edward L. Frisbie. 
James Brown, 
Edward C. Lewis, 
loseph H. Dudley, 
Edward M. Burrall, 
(Jeorge R. Baldwin. 
Leman W. Cutler. 



( >tis .S. Northrop. 
I'^dward T. Root. 
Mark L. .^jjerry. 
W'illiam E. Fulton. 
John P. Elton, 
(nlman C. Hill. 
Ralph N. Blakeslee. 
Frank B. Buck, 
J. Hobart Bronson. 
George L. White, 
Edwin C. Northrop, 
John Booth Burrall, 
.\rthur Reed Kimball. 
.Archer J. Smith, 
Harris Whittemore, 
\\'illiam B. Merriman, 
D;irr;u'h DeLancev. 



The present officers and trustees are as follows: President. Hcnr\- H. Peck: 
\ice presidents. John P. Elton, .\rthur C). Shepardson. Mark L. S])errv : con- 
troller, (^tis .'>. Nnrthro]): secretary and treasurer. Edwin C. Northroj); .issistant 
treasurer. Richard Preusser: trustees, J. Hobart Bronson. John Booth Burrall. 
Darragh DeLancev, Jolm 1'. Elton, William E. Fulton, Gilman C. Hill, .Arthur 
R. Kimball, Edwin C. Northrop, ( )ti^ S. Northrop, Henry H. Peck. Arthur O. 
.'Shepardson. .Archer J. .Smith. Mark L. .*-!perry. Ifarris \\'hittemore. 



152 WATERP.URY AXD THE NAUGATUCK VALEEY 

On October i, 1880, the deposits were $671,557.48. 

On October i, 1890, the deposits were $1,948,785.81, and the total number 
of depositors 8,234. 

On October i, 1900, the deposits were $3,294,287.63, and the total number of 
depositors 11,678. 

On October i, 1910, the deposits were $5,325,025.47, and the total number of 
depositors 17,236. 

On October i, 1916, the deposits were $7,107,324.24, and the total number of 
depositors 19,451. 

In the year ending October i, 1916, this bank showed its largest increase for 
any one year, the deposits increasing $1,117,515.83, and an increase of 2,286 
depositors. 

MANUFACTURERS NATIONAL BANK 

On the 5th of October, 1880, a meeting was lield for the purpose of organiz- 
ing the Manufacturers National Bank of Waterbury, for which a certificate was 
issued on the 25th of the same month, and the institution opened its doors for 
business. 

The first president was David R. Hamilton of Waterbury, who served from 
1880 until his death on August 14, 1898. He was succeeded by George W. Beach, 
who had been vice president from the time that office was created on January 9, 
1894, but who upon the death of Mr. Hamilton was called to the presidency and 
so continued until February, igo6. He was succeeded by Edward L. Frisbie, who 
occupied the office from March 20, 1906, until he, too, passed away on April 13, 
1901). His successor is Charles F. Mitchell, who is still the presiding head of the 
institution, having been called to the position on May 4, 1909. Mr. Frisbie had 
succeeded Mr. Beach as vice president, and Mr. Mitchell was his successor in that 
office, continuing from 1906 until he was called to the presidency in 1909. R. W. 
Hill then became vice president and filled that office until July 16. 1909. William 
E. Fulton was elected vice president on January 11, 1910, and still continues. 

The first cashier was Charles R. Baldwin, who served from October 25, 1880, 
until May 31, 1892, when Charles F. Mitchell was elected and remained in the posi- 
tion until March 20, 1906, when he became vice president. A. E. Lord was then 
cashier from that date until January 12, 1909, and Lewis S. Reed was made assist- 
ant cashier, becoming cashier on May 4, 1909, and still remaining in this position. 

The bank was first located at 102 Bank Street, where the Jones-Morgan Build- 
ing now stands, and a removal was made to the present location in December, 1897, 
when quarters were secured in the Bohl Building, then owned by Tniman S. 
Lewis. Soon afterward the bank purchased the building. Its policy has always 
been clearly defined and has ever been one which would bear the closest investi- 
gation and scrutiny. A general banking business is being conducted and the pro- 
gressive methods which were early instituted have developed it into one of the 
strong banks of the state. 

THE CITIZENS NATIONAL HANK 

The Citizens National Bank, which was founded by Mr. Kingsbury and which 
is co-tenant of the building with the Waterbury Savings Bank, has had a great 
growth in the last quarter of a century. Twenty-five years ago. 1892, its deposits 
amounted to $500,000.00. In 1917 these aggregate $5,000,000.00. Its capital 
and surplus has grown to $450,000.00. 



\VATERL;UK^' AXD THE XAUGATUCK \ ALLEY 1.'):! 

Its officers in iSi-)2 were: E. J. Kingsljur,-, president; \\ L. Ciirtiss, easliier; 
Directors E. J. Kingsbury, U. l\. S])ra,u;ue. Eiiward Cowles. H. IL i 'eck and I^". L. 
Curtiss. 

Its officers and directors in lyi" are: J. II. llronson, president; M ( ). (loss, 
vice president; H. A. Hoadley, cashier; E. R. Hudson, R. W. Hurlbut, assistant 
cashiers; Directors J. H. Bronson, Edward O. Goss, F. S. Chase, John A. Coe. 
|r., E. S. Hunt, Darragh DeLanccy, T. E. Jackson, H. A. Hoadley. 

THE Wr.ST SIDE S.WINCS B.\NK 

The West Side Savings Bank was incorporated in 1889. Its first officers were: 
President Edward T. Turner, \'ice President J. R. Smith, Treasurer (Portion J. 
Lawrence. On October i, 1S90, its deposits were $34,664.62. On October i, 
iyi6, these were $2,143,7(36.34. Of this amount the investment in loans on 
Waterbury real estate is $1,629,985.0x3. The bank was located on liank .Street in 
Brooklyn, rear Holmes booth, Haydcn's office, then moving to the old Alasonic 
Temple Building, being afterwards for eighteen years on the corner of Center 
and Bank streets and on January r, 191 7, it mo\ed into its ])resent beautiful 
quarters in the Buckingham Building. 

The present officers are: President. J. Richard Smith; vice jiresident, Lewis 

A. Piatt; secretary, R. G. Hannegan ; treasurer, George E. Judd. Its directors 
today are president, vice president .and treasurer and Nathaniel R. Bronson, 

B. L. Coe, George A. Driggs, Howard :\1. Hickco.x, T. F. Jackson, Herbert W. 
Lake and Michael Guilfoile. 

THE MERC'IIANTS TRt'ST tOMT.WV 

The Merchants Trust L'cini])any was organized Xovember 28. U)io, with a 
capital of Sioo,ocx).oo. Its dejiosits at the end of tlie first year of its existence 
were $ i So,cx30.oo. Its deposits now, September, IW17. are over $2,000,000.00, 
,-ind its surplus is $88,000.00. 

Its first officers and directors were: James E. Smith, president; Henry 
Weyand, secretary and treasurer; directors, the officers and Michael E. Keeley, 
lohn S. Neagle, Thomas II. Hayes, Erank Pepc. W'm. Riether. Isidore Chase. 

The officers today are : President, Henry Weyand ; vice president, John S. 
Neagle ; secretary and treasurer, John E. Bulger ; E. E. Moran, assistant treas- 
urer; directors, Henrv Weyand, John S. Neagle, M. E. Keeley, Isidore Chase, 
Frank Pepe, Wni. Riether, James 1".. Russell, Thomas Einncgan, Arthur A. 
Tanner, Frank Hayes, John E. Bulger. 

It has occupied its jiresent (|uarters at 142 Grand Street since its organization. 

THE COLO.\'I.\L TRUST CO^I^.^NV 

The Colonial Trust ComiKuiv was the first of the trust companies to begin 
business in Waterbury. Its original capital when it opened its doors in 1899 
was $400,000.00 with a surplus of $100,000.00. In 191 1 the Fourth National 
Bank was consolidated with the Colonial. According to the statement issued 
March 5, lOi/, its capital stock is $400,000.00, its surplus is $535,451.20 and its 
deposits are $7,033,538.09. This is an increase from $2,000,000.00, its deposits 
in 1900. In 1902, it moved into its own beautiful building on West Main Street. 
Prior to that year it had its quarters on Center Street. 

Its first president was D. S. Plume, who was succeeded by J. H. Whittemore, 



154 \\ ATERBURY AND THli NAUGATUCK \ALLEY 

both of whom liave passed away. Otis S. Northrop, its present executive, suc- 
ceeded the latter. Gen. Louis N. Van Keuren was the first treasurer. 

The first directors of the Colonial Trust Company were D. S. Plume, J. II. 
Whittemore, Geo. M. W'oodruflf, Carlos French, Franklin Farrel, C. F. Brooker, 
A. M. Young, George E. Terry, E. M. Burrall, C. P. Goss, E. L. Frisbie. 

Its present officers and directors are as follows : 

Otis S. Northrop, president; George M. Woodruff, vice president; John P. 
Elton, vice president; Charles E. Spencer, Jr., treasurer; W. P. Bryan, secre- 
tary; H. L. Rowland, trust officer; George E. Terry, counsel; directors, Charles 
F. Bliss, William II. Bristol, W. P. Bryan, John Booth Burrall, Wallace H. 
Camp, Edmund Day, (Jeorge A. Driggs, John P. Elton, Alton Farrell, Edward 
L. Frisbie, \\". Shirley Inilton, Robert F. Griggs, .\rthur R. Kimball, Otis S. 
Northrop, Lewis A. Plait, 11. L. Rowland, C. E. Spencer, Jr., ( k-orge E. Terry, 
Harris Whittemore, George M. Woodrufi'. 

The Fourth National Bank, now incorporated with the Colonial Trust Com- 
pany, as above stated, was organized in 1887 with a capital of $i(X),ooo.C)o. Its 
lirst president was D. S. Plume, and its first cashier was Burton G. Bryan. At 
the time of consolidation the officers and directors were : J. Richard Smith, 
!)resident; Lewis A. Piatt and John Henderson, Jr., vice presidents; George E. 
Judd, treasurer: directors, these officers and Henry L. Wade, George A. Driggs, 
N. R. Bronson, Benj. L. Coe, Cornelius Tracy, Thomas ]•". Jackson, Howard M. 
Hickcox, Herbert W. Lake, Michael (luilfoile. 

Tine W.\TF,RI!UUV NATIONWL l'..\XK 

The Walerbury National Bank today occupies the same building, although 
large additions have been made, in which it began business as the Waterbury 
Bank in September, 1848. It became a national bank l-'ebruary 2, 1865. Its 
present officers are: H. S. Chase, president; A. J. Blakesley, cashier; F. W. 
Judson, assistant cashier. The capital of the bank today, $500,000 is what it 
was on July 23, 1850. Its surplus has shown a continuous increase, the last 
report of June, 1917, placing it at $400,000. Its individual deposits on the same 
date were $3,883,983.10. The directors at present are: J. S. Elton, H. S. Chase, 
A. L Smith, J. R. Smith, Irving S. Chase, A. W. Mitchell. M. Heminway, G. C. 
Hill, F. W. Judson, Alfred Hart, A. J. Blakesley and Geo. E. Boyd. 

.Augustus Milo Blakesley, father of .A. J. Blakesley, present cashier of the 
bank, was its cashier from 1852 until his death, October 20, igo8. J. S. Elton 
resigned as ])resident in \()\Ciau(l was succeeded h\- H. .S. Chase. 

Till-; w.\ti;ki'.ikv tiu'St c()Mr.\N\' 

The Waterbury Trust Company was granted its charter at the January ses- 
■sion of the State Legislature in 1907. Its original officers were C. L. Holmes, 
president; M. L. Sperry, vice jjresident, and H. S. Seeley. secretary and treas- 
urer. It began business on June 24, 1907. 

The growth of the institution since that date has been phenomenal, the result 
of sound management and substantial patronage. It has been strong in both 
its general banking business and in the savings department, which on October 
I, 1916, showed 1.525 deposits, an increase for the year of 925. 

On August I, 1917, it had a surplus of $55,431.35 and in 1917 deposits 
amounted to $3,030,338.33. Its jjresent officers and directors are as follows : 
Charles L Holmes, president; Alark L. Sperrj\ vice president; Henry S. Seeley. 




M \l- TIM ^T l;l II. DIM., w Aii;i;iii i;\ 



\\Ari;Ri;L'R>' axd tiii: XALCATLXK \A1JJ-A' 1.3.j 

secretary and treasurer: Walter .M. IJassfurd. a^^istalll treasurer; iMrdt-riek W. 
Chesson. assistant secretary. Directors; Hdmund J. I )aly. Julm iJraher, l.ouis 
E. P'itzsinions (deceased), llarr)' H. JJeniinway, 'Ihnnias 11. Hewitt, Charles 
L. Holmes, John R. llui,diis, Herbert S. Rowland, llenry S. Seelcy, Mark L. 
Sperry, Cornelius Tracy, W. .S. R. Wake, lulwin II. Williams, William T, 
WoodrutT and Charles .\. Tenipleton. Mr. (.'hesson entered the nalion.al army 
ill Kji;. 

Tin; Kt;ci:xT ixsrii.vNC i-; iiisTuin" oi- vv.\THKi;ruv 

\\ alerljur\ has at present no distincll}' local life, lire or accident insurance 
organization, although a recent incorporation leads to the hope of early organ- 
ization in hoth the lire an<l life insurance lines. 

The W.ilerhury Hoard of Cnderw riters, which comprises ,ill llie agents and 
authorized hrcikers ni.iw in husiness here, is kept ali\e 1j\- the earnest effort of 
the leading lirms to set' that the rules .and regukatioiis g(;]\erning iusunmee here 
are strictly enforceil. These rules and regul.ations come <lireet from the Xew 
England Insurance l''..\ehaiige of Roston, which is the go\erning hoilv in the state. 

The enactment of the aiUi-rel);Lting l.iw hy the last t 'oniieclicul Legislature 
has greatly aided legitimate insurance Imsiness, gi\ing it the staliilit\ which has 
long been lacking. 

There have been thret' notable efforts in the p;isi <|u;irler centiii\ to estab- 
lish distinctly local insurance organizations. The C onnecticut Indemnity .\sso- 
ciation, which h.ad been organized on ( )ctober 30, 1SS3. w.is ])erh;ips the most 
pretentious of these ellorts. It was organized to insure for life, health and 
accident. Its orii;inal iiromoters were N'ictor I.. .S;iwyer, 1 )r. \\ .M. Cannon, 
John S. I'urdy and John II. (iuernsey. It rem.iined in business until |S<)X. when 
conditions forced it t(j li(|uidate. 

The second notable etTort along insurance lines was the organization and 
operation of the Lonnecticut .Mutual .^team Boiler Inspection and Insurance 
Company in June. iS.X(). ( )f this llavid .S. Plume was the first ijresident. Eater 

D. 1). Hamilton was its e.xecuti\e. and when it was finally merged into the Hart- 
ford .Steam Roiler and Insjiection t/om])anv in U)n(>. its president was Henrv 

E, Wade. 

The thiril effort was in the year i<)OJ in the organization of the Mutual 
Security Compan\-, the jiurpose of which was to insure against strikes. This 
continued in Imsiness until igin, I)ut lack of interest on the part of local manu- 
facturers finally convincecl its promoters that the jiroject could not succeed. 
When it finally li(|uidated, its |)resident was ( ien. Louis X'. Van Keuren and 
its secretar\' was l'\ J. Br<.iwn. 

The Coimecticut Legislature, at its nji/ session, granted charters, — one for 
life insunuice company and the other for a fire insur.ance company. The incor- 
porators in both charters are Messrs. M. E. Keeley, .\bner P. Hayes, Merman 
J. Weisman, and h'rank llayi's. X^'o steps lia\e yet fieen taken to m;ike these 
charters effective. 



CHAPTER XII 
HISTORY OF WATERBURY'S HOTELS 

THE KIKE OF I9O2 FOLLOWED BY AX ERA OF HOTEL CONSTRUCTION THE CONNECTI- 
CUT HOTEL EXCHANGE HOTEL ENLARGED RAISING THE FUND FOR THE ELTON 

THE SUBSCRIHERS ITS FIRST YEAR's RECORD D^:SCRIPTION — STARTING THE 

"ideal tour" ^TIIE KINGSBURY AND HODSON's — MANY HOTELS SPRING UP 

DURING MUNITION-MAKING PERIOD. 

The disastrous fire of 1902 and the bcsJjinning of munition-making in 1914- 
1915 mark tlie two periods in which there was a distinct growth in tlie number 
and the capacity of Waterbury's hotels. In 1893, the beginning of the present 
quarter century, there were ajiproximately fifteen hotels in Waterbury, most of 
them however merely large rooming houses. The Scovill House, of which T. R. 
Howe was manager, was still the leading hotel. The Franklin House, which 
was then operated by J. Frank Weedon, the Coolcy House, run by A. J. Bunnell, 
and Brown's Hotel were all smaller but well-kept hostelries. On February 22, 
1894, Brown's Hotel was destroyed by fire. This was afterwards rebuilt as 
a business block known as The Arcade. Earle's Hotel was on the site of the 
original Naugatuck Railroad Station and Smith's Hotel, now known as The 
Stratton, on Fast Main Street, was then a comparatively new and rather preten- 
tious hotel. It had been built just after the blizzard of 1888. Changes in man- 
agement and the opening of smaller hotels marked nearly every year. 

On February 2 and 3, 1902, the Scovill House and Franklin House were 
destroyed in the conflagrations of those dates. Then followed a period of hotel 
construction which soon more than replaced in capacity the ruined buildings. 

Louis F. Haase, who had a new building on Center Street which he was 
using as a house furnishing store, remodeled it completely and opened it in 1904 
under the name of the Connecticut Hotel. It was at first leased by George Q. 
Pattee of New Britain, afterwards by F. W. Haase, brother of L. F. Haase. On 
Januar)' 3, 1916. this was totally destroyed by fire and when the new building 
was completed, it was leased to the Metropolitan Furniture Company. 

Shortly after the fire, what was known as Exchange Hotel was enlarged and 
opened in the building which is now the old part of Hodson's Hotel. The Bank 
Hotel was opened by Robert Molzon at 290-292 Bank Street. The building, 
which in 1902 was constructed for small family apartments, was changed over 
into a hotel and has retained its name to this time. It has been managed for 
fifteen years by Michael Molzon, the present owner, and is still one of the best 
of the smaller hotels of the city. It has forty-seven rooms. 

The Elton, one of the finest hotels in the East, is however the notable land- 
mark of this period of hotel construction, and the story of its inception, its 
building and its official opening is an illustration of the local pride and public 
spirit of that time. 

In 1903 the need of a fine hotel for Waterbury became so apparent to the 
leaders of its business that a local company was fonned for the purpose of 
raising, if needed, half a million dollars for a site and building. 

156 • 



WATERl'.L'RV AXD THE XAUGATUCK \AI.LI-.V 



l.")? 



The secretary (if thi; 
splendid work, as wel' 



C(ini]iany was George E. lioyil, and it was due to iiis 
to tile i)ul)lie sjiirit of tile entire community, tliat the 
first S300.0(X).oo tlie amount of the capilalizaticm. was quickly raised. 

The otlicial list of these stockholders is an historical document and is incor- 
porated here as an evidence of the co-oi)erati\e ^pirit of the cdiiimunity in time 
of irreat need. 



Shay. 

300 

^00 



50 
.sO 



50 
50 

50 
.SO 

.SO 

36 



ITilliin, Waterhury. 
I'lUrnham .Mfg. (_'o 



lo 



J. S. Elton, Waterhury. 

i-I. H. I'eck, Waterhury. 

Mrs. Ellen .'^co\ill, \\'asliin<,'-ton, 
D. C. 

Mrs. Mary E. lUirndl. Water- 
bury. 

Airs. Ida E 

Itenedict iK: 
Waterhury. 

Holmes, I'.ooth & Hayilens C 
Waterhury. 

Plume & At wood Mf , 
Waterhury. 

.Scovill Mig. Co., Waterhury. 

Mrs. H. .^o[iliia iloyt, Waterhury. 

William E. Eulton, Waterhury. 

Irving H. Chase, Waterhury. 

Henry L. Wade, Waterhury. 

Henrv W. .^covili. Washington, 
D. C. 

Bowditch & Stratton, I'.oston, 
Mass. 

Truman S. Lewis. Waterhury. 

Miss Caroline A. Tlatt, Water- 
bury. 

Mrs. Lillian Clarke I'arrel, 
Ansonia. 

George L. White, \\'aterhury. 

Waterhury Button Co., Water- 
hury. 

Oakville Co.. Oakville. 

Waterhury Clock Co., Waterhury. 

Ralph II. Smith, Waterhury. 

Waterhury Parrel Eoundry & 
Mach. Co., ^^^aterhury. 

New England Watch Co 
bury. 

Waterhury Buckle Co.. 
bury. 

E. J. Kingshurv, Jr., Eairfield. 

Miss Alice E. Kingsbury, Water- 
bury. 

Miss Edith D. Kingsbury, Water- 
bury. 



Share 
-'4 



Water- 
Water- 



Mrs. Mary L. Mitchell. Water- 
hury. 

.\merican Kin.g Co., Waterhury. 

Mrs. C. M. Benedict, Waterhury. 

•Miss A. C. lienedict, Waterhury. 

.\merican I 'in Co., Waterville. 

.Steele \- Johnson Mfg. Co., Water- 
hury. 

Ccinnecticut Railw.av iS: Lighting 
Co., .\ew York. 

John C. ."^niith, .Vew York. 

Ch.irles ]\ llnidker, .Xnsonia. 

I I. .'^. Chase. Waterhury. 

( )tis .S. Xiirlhrop, Waterlmry. 

Lewis .\. Piatt. Waterbun,-. 

I. Richard Smith. Waterhury. 

Erederick I'. Rice, Waterhury. 

Berhecker iS: Rowland Co., Water- 
ville. 

Blake i!v Johnson Co., Waterhury. 

(ieorge B. Lamb, W.aterbury. 

.\rclier J. .Smith. Waterhury. 

Thomas Eitzsinions, Waterhury. 

John P.ooth Burrall, Waterhury. 

William D. Rich.irdson, Water- 
lmry. 

P.. L'. Bryan, Waterhury. 

Samuel Rosenstamm, New York. 

E. L. Frisbie, Jr., Waterhury. 
D. S. Plume, Waterlmry. 
Lucien F. Burjiee. Waterhury. 
John P. Elton, Waterhury. 
Earl Smith, Waterhury. 

F. L. Curtiss, Waterhury. 
C. L. Holmes, Waterhury. 
Walter W. Holmes, Waterhury. 
Gilnian C. Hill, Waterhury. 
Mrs. Charlotte B. Hill, 'Water- 
hury. 

Thomas Kelly, \\'aterhury. 
Dr. Henry G. .\nderson, Water- 
hury. 
Thomas B. Kent, New York. 
Cornelius Tracy, Waterhury. 



158 



WXTERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK X'ALl.KY 



Sltarrs Sliart 

JO (jeorgc Tracy, Waterbury. 5 

10 J. M. Riirrall & Co., Waterbury. 5 

10 C. H. Tucker, New York. 5 

10 Gordon W. Burnham, New York. 5 

10 Miss Florentine TI. Hayden, 5 

Waterbury. 5 

10 Miss Anna L. Ward, Waterbury. 5 

10 Adolph Lewisohn, New York. 5 

TO Herbert P. Camp, Waterbury. 5 

10 Al. J. Daly, Waterbury. 5 

9 I''. Kingsbury Bull, New York. 5 

9 Ludlow S. Bull, New York. 5 

8 Miss Dorothy Bull, New York. 

6 Dr. F. E. Castle, Waterbury. 5 

6 Robert W. Hill, Waterbury. 4 

6 Charles F. Mitchell, Waterbury. 3 

f) Fred S. Chase, Waterbury. 

3 Wnv England Engineering Co., 2 

Waterbury. 2 

5 J. K. Smith, Waterbury. 

5 K. T. Root, Waterbury. 2 

5 T. A. Spencer, Waterbury. 2 

5 Henry Weyand, Waterbury. 2 

5 John Henderson, Jr., Waterbury. 

5 Roger S. Wotkyns, Waterbury. 2 

5 W. B. IMcrriman, trustee. Water- 2 

bury. I 

5 Isidore Chase, Waterbury. i 

5 Valentine Bohl, Waterbury. i 

5 John ,\. Lillcy, Waterbury. i 

3 lav 1 1. Hart, Waterljurv. 



William E. Norris, Waterbury. 

Dr. C. S. Rodman, Waterbury. 

R. D. Pierpont, Waterbury. 

A. O. Jennings, Waterbury. 

R. R. Stannard, Waterbury. 

John W. Gaffney, Waterbury. 

A. M. Dickinson, Waterbury. 

William F. Chatfield, Waterbury. 

J. B. Mullings, Waterbury. 

F. W. Chesson, Waterbury. 

Jacob Kaiser, \\'aterbury. 

Edwin H. Williams, agent, Water- 
bury. 

Merritt Heminway. Watertown. 

T. D. Barlow, Waterbury. 

Reid iv- Hughes Dry Goods Co., 
Waterbury. 

Oliver R. Barlow, Waterbury. 

Mrs. Cynthia D. Barlow, Water- 
bury. 

Miss Mary A. Barlow, Waterbury. 

Charles F. Davis, Waterbury. 

Waterbury Paper Box Co., Inc., 
Waterbury. 

William H. Wilcox. Waterbury. 

Haring White Griggs, Waterbury. 

George E. Boyd, Waterbury. 

Jones &- Morgan. Waterbury. 

Nelson J. Welton, Waterbury. 

Apothecaries Hall Co.. Waterbury. 



It is a notable fact that every subscriber was tcild that there would probably 
never be a ])rofit, and there might be deficits to cover. 

The management of the new hotel which opened its doors in 1904, was 
])laced in the hands of .\lmon C. Judd, who knew Waterbury and who in the 
years of his absence from the city, had been employed in some of the largest hotels 
in the country. The report of the first year was exceedingly gratifying. With 
the exception of the three summer months, the hotel had earned from $300 to 
$2,000 during each of the other months of the year. 

The location of the hotel, opposite the Green, was a fortunate one, the only 
regret being that the old Colonial style Scovill homestead was torn down, instead 
of having been removed and saved as a landmark. 

The architecture of the house is French Renaissance, and is dignified and 
l)leasing: the contruction is of steel and brick, fire-jiroofed in the most thorough 
manner. 

The foyer extends across the front of the house, and is 50x100 feet in size; 
it has a marble floor, and is wainscotted nine feet high with quartered oak. At 
both ends of the foyer are large fireplaces. This foyer is divided into four 
imaginary rooms by an arrangement of furniture, making sections for a writing 
room, reading room, and two lounging and smoking-rooms. Handsome oriental 




Kxi'iiANch; n.A( K, w \'n:i;iu"in^ 




THE KLTOX. WATERBURY 



WATERIIUm- AXI) TIIR XAn.lA'I'UCK \A1.1.FA' l.')!) 

rugs arc on tlu- Hcmr nf each st-ctinn, wliicli. taken in conjunction with the man)' 
paints ami ferns scattered tlirnu.i;lii)ttt. ailil tiiitcii to tlte general attractiveness 
ami JKinielilve atmospliere of tlie room. 

'I~hc main dinitigf-rooni is located oti tlie tiortliwesi corner of tlie ol'lice lloor; 
it is linished in French Renaissance stvle of 1 .ouis W : tlie treatment is in light 
colors, the woiidwork iieing whitt-, the walls are of a rich maroon and the ceiling 
pale l.)lue ; tiic center of the ceiling is raised in cylindrical form. ricliK decorated 
with festoons and other ornaments hright with gilding. 

The restaurant is known as the IHemish Dining-room, and has l)een ]ircinonnccd 
by competent judges to be one of the most attractive rooms of the kind in exist- 
ence. It is linished in cypress, stained in delicate green .and brown tones; the 
wainscotting and columns are decorated with fruit ornamentations : and .iboN-e 
the wainscotting, the wall is decorated with free-ban<l paititing of the grapevine 
design. A handsome anti(|ue lire-place .also .adds beauty to the room. .\ small 
balcony on the left furnishes a pl.ice for the orchestra, .and is so .arranged that 
the music may be he.ard in both ilining-roonis. 

The Ladies' parlor is locati.-d on the second llocji-, and li.is .1 comm.anding \iew 
of the center of the city. It i^ lim'shed in white en.anieled carveil wood in iM-ench 
Renaissance style. I'ink t.apestries .and a grein Wilton car]iet make :\ ver\- daintv 
ensemble. The furniture is of ( 'ircassi.in w.ilnnt in Louis .W'l st\le. 

The balls of the hotel are unusuall) wiile .and wi-11 lighted; the lloors are 
terrazzo. and throu.gh the center is .a b.andsome b.ill carpet, made for the hotel. 

The barlier shoj), billi.ard room, .and h.ir .are loc.ate<l on the b.isement lloi'r; 
the barlier sho]) is finished with a w.ainscotting <if white marble, and the lloor is 
pa\ed with terrazzo. The entire fittings are mo^t s.init.irx and modern. The 
bar .and billiard room .are pr.aclicalh' combined; the bar is of .a speci.al design, sug- 
gestive of an old Dutch Rathskeller; the billiard t.ables are sjieckally made in .1 
style to correspond with the furnishings of the bar. 

Mahogany and tapestry .are the prevailing notes in fitrniture and upholstery 
outside of the public rooms. ( )f the 147 bedrooms and ■-nites on the I'ne upi)er 
floors of the hotel, all but three are furnished in a plain, rich mahogany, selected 
from the best factories iti (irand Rapids. There is \ery little duplication of 
design in the bedroom furniture, almost every room h.a\ing an individual touch; 
some rooms for variety have brass beds. Three of the tiiiest suites are furnished 
in a still more costly wood, — Circassian w.alnut, richly carved. Fach room has a 
telejihone availal)le for house service, as well as long-distance usage. There are 
fifty-nine private bathrooms connected with the bedrooms, and eleven public 
bathrooms. The house is lighted tlir(]Ughoiit with electricit\ generated on the 
jircmises. 

The working de])artmeiits, kitchen, laundry, engine-room, etc., are all btted 
with the modern a])pliances of an up-to-date hotel. 

Mr. Judd, h,i\ing a big hotel to hll and noting the dearth of hotel business 
iluring the summer months, st.arted in i')05, the year after the ripening of the 
Elton, wdiat is known now as the "Ideal Tour" for automobiles. This is at 
present being advertised in connection with the Biltmore at New York, the 
Equinox at Manchester, \T., the Granliden at Sunapee Lake, N. H., the New 
Profile House, at I'rolile House, X. H., the Crawford House, at Crawford 
Notch, X. II., the Roland Spring House and the Mansion House at Poland 
Spring, Me., Hotel W'entworth at Portsmouth, N. H., Hotel \'endome and the 
Cojiley-Plaza at P.oston, and Bri.arcliffe Lodge at Priarcliffe Manor, N. Y. 

The Ideal Tour Route through Xew England h.as become an interstate high- 
\va\' which motorists en r(.iute for .ill Xew England resorts, the White Moun- 



160 WATF.RP.URY AND THE NAUCATL'CK \ALLFA' 

tains, Maine, The Berksliires, or other points ahiiost invariably follow to the 
point nearest their destination, as the Ideal Tour combines the most beautiful 
scenic effects, the best roads, and conveniently situated hotels of the highest class, 
and it is sometimes more convenient for these motorists to reverse the tour, or 
join it at some point en route. 

The hotel is still owned by the old company, but is now leased to Almon C. 
Judd on a yearly rental basis. 

Ne.xt to the Elton, the leading hotels today are the Kingsbury and Hodson's. 
The Kingsbury, at 44 Center Street, was built by Cornelius H. Cables. The 
Center Street section was remodeled from existing buildings and the section run- 
ning back to Harrison Avenue is entirely new. It is now operated by the Cables 
Family, and was opened on October 25, igo8. It has 170 rooms. 

Hodson's Hotel, which is owned by J. W. and F. J. Hodson, is perhaps the 
newest of the larger hotels. The remodeled part of West Main Street was com- 
pleted in 1916, and Hodson's, which for twelve years had merely been a large 
dining-room and since 18S3 a cafe, was now opened as a thoroughly modern 
hotel. For three years the old pari, formerly the Exchange Hotel, had, however, 
been called Hodson's. 

The old Hotel Broadway at 90 E. Main Street, which was also known for a 
time as the Savoy, and in 1910 as the Lamphier, became the Fuller Hotel in 
March, 191 1. a name it still retains. It has sixty rooms. 

The Windsor Hotel at 28 Center Street was the well-known Hotel Water- 
bury of two decades ago. Later it became the Hotel Plaza and then the Hotel 
Marlborough. Two years ago it was leased from the owner of the building, 
David Ducharme of New Haven, by W. J. .Allen. Its name had been changed to 
the Windsor Hotel by Otis Fuller, a ])rior manager. 

The Delmar on Leavenworth Street was opened as a hotel on February 16, 
1916. Up to this time it had been two ajjartment houses, and before that a 
Turkish bathhouse. The structure is owned by Mrs. Margaret Ryder and the 
hotel is conducted by L. J. Webb. 

The Inlanders, which is a remodeled combination of the Monroe lUiilding and 
of Nos. 26 and 28 North Main Street, was opened as a hotel with 120 rooms 
on January i, 1917, by William H. Wood. 

The Stag Hotel, which for three years has been run under that name by 
Thomas D. Bulger, is in the Griggs Building on Bank Street. This was formerly 
the Norton, and later the Heinie and the Arlington. 

The Stafford House on East Main Street, formerly Smith's, has been run 
for nineteen years by its present manager, Mrs. Charles A. Taylor. 

There are several smaller houses, such as the Colonial and the Union Square, 
but they come rather into the class of good rooming houses, with which the city 
is at present amply supplied. 

It is, however, interesting to note that for the past two years there have been 
few vacant rooms in either the hotels or rooming houses of the city, the prosperity 
of the day reflecting itself in these hotel housing conditions. 



CIIArTER XIIT 
THE IIUSPITALS OF WATERBURY 

WATICKBURY HOSPITAL IN ITS OLD OUAUTLRS — THE NICICD OF A NEW IIUILDING 

CONTKlr.UTIUXS POUR IN AND NEW IIOSI'ITAL DICDECATED D(JNOKS OF THE 1;UILD- 

ING FUND OFFICERS GROWTH IN RIX ENT YEARS THE MEDICAL P.OARD ST. 

MARV'S HOSPITAL. Till-: I NSPH'IATII >.\ OF MONSIGXOR SLUCUM— ITS DEDICATION 

THE MEDICAL BOARD. 

The first puljlishcil sufjijestion f(ir the cstaljlishiiient of the Waterlniry Hos- 
pital ap].ieared in the Waterbury Ke])ublicaii Se])teniber i, i<SS2. ]'"roin that time 
on the interest in the project grew, the .State Eegislature appropriated $25,000 
on condition that $50,000 was raised l)y jjrivate suhscrijition, and later gave 
it an additional $25,000 and $2,5(X) a year toward its maintenance. Tliese 
early steps in the building up of the institution with triliutes to all of those who 
gave so liberally have been be:iutifully recorded by Dr. Joseph /\nders(jn in 
his "History of Waterbury.'' 

In January, 1892, a (|uarlcr of a century ago, the hospital had been in 0])era- 
tion for two years; brick additions to the old Allen B. Wilson 1 Iouk', wh:ch 
constituted the main building, had been erected. At the west of the main build- 
ing was the site for the nurses' home. This was begun in November, i<^<j2, and 
com])leted in July, 1893. It was the gift of Henry H. Peck. The lainidry had 
also been erected and formed part of what was the Waterbury Hospital. 

Its officers in 1S92, at the beginning of our quarter century, were: Presi- 
dent, Frederick J. Kingsbury ; vice president, Augustus S. Chase ; executive com- 
mittee, Edward L. Erisb'c, George W. Beach, Henry H. Peck; secretary, J. 
Holjart Bronson ; treasurer, Augustus M. P.lakesley ; directors. James S. Elton, 
David .S. Plume, Edward C. Lewis, John W. Smith and the officers named. 

In 1802, the medical staff consisted of Drs. Alfred North and Edward L. 
Griggs, consulting physici.uis and surgeons, and the following visiting physicians 
and surgeons: Drs. W. W. Holmes, Frank E. Castle, Walter L. Barber, K. W. 
McDonald, C. S. Rodman, T. L. .Axtell, John M. Benedict, Caroline R. Conkey. 

The matron was Miss Mary b^elter, and her staff comprised "one trained 
nurse, three who have served in the hospital one year or longer and four in 
training.'' A janitor, one orderly, a cook, a waitress, and a laundress completed 
the working force. 

In this year, the hospital ol>tained the Margaret Gorman bequest of $0,441.40. 
In the following year the Olive M. Elton fund of $5,000 and the Scott bequest of 
$5,000 were received. 

In 180S, the hospital had grown to such proportions that the medical staff 
was considerably increased. Wh'le in 1807 the total number of hospital days 
recorded was it, 120, in iSoS it had grown to 13,178. In 1897 the number of 
cases treated was 370 ; in 1898 cases treated were 406. 

In 189S Miss Mary Feltcr resigned as matron, and was succeeded by 
Miss Alary A. Andrews. 
Vol. I— n 

161 



162 WATERBUKY AND TIIK XAUCiATLCK \ALI.EV 

In 1901 the ground south Icachng to the roadway was presented to the hospital 
l)y James S. Elton. 

In 1903 the executive committee had been at its task for fourteen years, and 
requested the selection of younger men. Messrs. E. L. Frisbie, Geo. W. Beach 
and Henry H. Peck had performed these labors so well that it was only their 
insistance that finally made a change necessary, and Messrs. Henry L. Wade, 
William E. Fulton and Otis S. Northrop succeeded them. 

During this period a new roof was put on the wards. The equipment of a 
jjathological department and purchase of apparatus and hospital instruments 
\ astly enhanced the hospital's usefulness. 

A gift of $1,800 from Mr. Kingsburj', to which was added a gift from the 
.Sunday school children of the city made it possible to construct a ward of seven 
beds for children. 

In 1904 the training school for nurses was established. 

In igo6 James S. Elton was elected to the presidency, to succeed Mr. Kings- 
bury, who felt that he had earned a respite from his task. 

The need of increased hospital facilities had now become so imperative that 
the officers determined upon raising an ample fund for the constniction of a 
new hospital. The total number of hospital days for 1906 had gone to 14,636 
and in 1907 the record was 16,344. The year 1907 recorded 665 cases treated, — 
an increase of eighty-eight over the previous year. 

During 1906 the movement took on such proportions that at the end of 1907 
a fund for new hospital buildings had reached $250,000. It was at this time that 
the property known as Westwood, containing about 21 acres, was purchased from 
C. I., and \\'. W. Holmes as the site of the new hospital 

In 1908 Henry Bacon of New York was selected as architect, and it was 
decided to move the old Hohues Residence to a new location and to convert it 
into a nurses' dormitory. 

On May 16, 1910, the cornerstone of the new hospital buildings was laid 
in the presence of the directors and physicians of the staff. 

When the new Waterbury Hospital was finally opened in the fall of 191 1, 
it was found that more than $300,000 had been expended in the construction, 
furnishings and fixtures. 

The donors of the building fund were as follows : 

Estate of Susan Rronson. C. L. and W. W. Holmes, Mrs. Mary J. Schlegel. 

J. H. Bronson, Frederick J. Kingsbury. Archer J. Smith, 

Mrs. Mary E. Burrall, Elisha Leavenworth, M. L. Sperry, 

The A. S. Chase Family. George A. Lewis, Howard B. Tuttle, 

Mrs. Mary A. Curtiss. Charles Miller. Mrs. Mary A. Tuttle. 

James S. Elton, Mrs. Mary L. Mitchell, Henry L. Wade, 

Franklin Farrel, Henry H. Peck, George L. \Miite. 

Mrs. Ida E. Fulton, Estate of C. M. Piatt, 

Wm. E. Fulton, Heirs of Wm. S. Piatt. 

The Buckingham Building, erected in 1906, is the gift to the hospital of J. H. 
Whittemore. 

The nurses' dormitory in Westwood Hall was in memory of Israel Holmes. 

It was the generosity of Henry H. Peck which supplied the substantial iron 
fence, the walls and the artistic entrance shelter on Robbins Street, later still 
further beautified by him. 

The location of the hospital brings out all the classic lines of construction. 
It is a model institution within and without. 



\\AT1£R11L'RN' AXD Till': XAUGATfCK \ ALi.lA' 163 

i'hi' ik-alh, in iiju, of IJcnry I-. Wade, who had been on the exeeuti\e eoni- 
niittee and a tlirector since n/J^. necessitated the election of a new member. 
|. Kichard Smith was chosen to till tlie vacancy. Mr. Wade's hisl gift to the 
Hospital was a bequest of $5,oo<_) for a free cot. This is known as the Henry 
L. \\'ade Free Bed Fund. 

Fight of the rooms in the new hospital were furnished at once in memory 
(t( !.. i-'.liza Crosby, Mary P>. I'. Criggs. Robert W. Hull, Capt. Henry F>. Peck, 
Emma 1.. Seelig. lulward < ). .Steele. Francis R. I'. W'elton and John Howard 
W'hittemore. 

The family of the late Doctor .North, the first surgeon oti iIk- stall', dcjnated 
the instruments and cases in the ojjerating room. 

In 1013 the facilities of the new hos[)ital were tested almost to capacity. 
The total number of hospital days increased to 23.S6f), and the total number of 
cases treated was I. .^33. in iwM, tiiese figures were respectively 25,589 and 
1,45*1. But gifts were showered u|ion the new institution and its friends saw 
to it that nothing was lacking to make it tlioroughly up-to-date in its work .and 
in its facilities. 

In iwi5 the number of cases treated exceeded the estimated capacity of the 
lios|)ital on several occasions. In fact, .although but eighty beds were provided, 
there was often found room during the year for too patients. It was in 1915 
that plans were approved for a 23-room dormitory with assembly hall and super- 
intendent's suite, as an addition to the nurses" home. Each year is now adding 
tn the endowments. In 11)15 Miss Alice Eliza Kingsbury gave $5,000 for the 
.'-^cox ill-Kingsburv bed wliicli is estalilisbed for tiie poor of .St. John's Parish, 
W'aterljury. 

P.y the last annual report which covers the year i<->i'). the total mimber of 
cases treated was 1.7511, with a total of J().2S^ hos]Mt;d days. During igi6 the 
impro\ements, abo\e mentioned, were completed at a cost of ai)proximate!y 
^30,000. 

During the year the lieciuest of .S25,oix> from the e?tate of Julia \'. Warner 
Spencer for the general fund and $5,000 for a free cot to be known as the Emeline 
D. W.arner Fund, was announced. 

In this year, too, a gift of $10,000 was made by Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. 
Scovill for the endowment of a room to be known as Mother Scovill's Room. 

U]) to .\ugust, 1917, the hospital cared for 300 more patients than had been 
ire.-ited in the same length of time in iQir). This constant increase in service has 
now necessitated the erection of ,-1 new wing on the south side of the hospital, 
plans for which are being ap|iro\ed. When this addition is completed, the hos- 
pital will have a capacity of 175 beds. 

From the training school for nurses connected with the hos]iital. tifty have 
been graduated from igo6 to January i, 1917- Ihe largest class, ten, was grarl- 
uated in 1915, and the smallest, one, in 1908. 

The Hospital Aid Society was organized as an efficient source of helpfulness 
to the Waterbury Hospital on .Sejjtember 15, 1890. It has been exceedingly 
.active, seeing that gifts of clothing, bedding, papers, books, pictures and deli- 
cacies are never lacking. Its officers at present are: President. Katherine D. 
Hamilton: secretary, Mrs. Hiram M. .Steele: treasurer, Abbie .S. Kingman. 

Of the directors who were on the original board in 1884 only the presidetit. 
Tames S. Elton, is now among the living. Of the corporators named in the 
original charter, only James S. Elton and Frederick J. Brown survive. 

The officers for 1917 are as follows: President. James .S. Elton: vice presi- 
dent. Henrv H. Peck; treasurer, .\11icrt 1. Blakeslev : secretary. I. H. Bronson ; 



164 W ATKRBL-RY AND THE XAUGATUCK \ALLEV 

executive committee, Otis S. Northrop, J. Richard Smith, Henry H. Peck; super- 
intendent, Miss Grace L. Wolcott; directors, James S. Elton, Harris Whitte- 
niorc, Henry H. Peck, Otis S. Northrop, Henry S. Chase, J. II. Bronson, WiUiam 
E. Fulton, J. Richard Smith. 

The following is the medical staff for 1917: 

Senior surgeon, F. E. Castle ; ophthalmic senior surgeon, C. S. Rodman ; resi- 
dent consulting physician and surgeon, C. W. S. Frost; non-resident consulting 
physicians and surgeons, J. S. Martin, Watertown; E. K. Lovcland, Watertown; 
W. S. Munger, Watertown; H. S. Allen, Woodbury; J. M. Benedict, Wood- 
bury; N. L. Deming, Litchfield; F. J. Tuttle, Naugatuck; R. S. Goodwin, Thomas- 
ton ; G. D. Ferguson, Thomaston ; Robert Hazen, Thomaston ; H. B. Hanchett, 
Torrington ; Harold B. Woodward, Terryville; attending staff, physicians, W. L. 
Barber, D. B. Deming, Charles Engelke, F. G. Graves, E. L. Smith, A. D. Variell; 
surgeons, W. L. P.arber, Jr., A. A. Crane, N. A. Pomeroy, E. H. Johnson, J. S. 
Dye, G. M. .Smith ; assistant physician, H. E. Hungerford ; assistant surgeons, 
Edmund Spicer, E. II. Kirschbaum; gynecologists, H. G. Anderson, C. H. 
Brown; obstetricians, J. J. Gailey, D. B. Deming, Edmund Russell; laryngol- 
ogist, C. E. Munger; iiathologist, Charles Engelke; orthopedic surgeons, F. H. 
Aibee, J. L. Moriarty ; opthalmic surgeons, D. J. Maloney, T. F. Bevans; an;cs- 
thetists, Edmund Russell, Eugene F. Callender, A. F. McDonald; radiographer, 
C. H. Brown; dermatologist, T. M. Bull; dental surgeons, H. W. Stevens, A. B. 
Holmes; urologist, A. C. Swenson. 

.ST. M.\RV'S IIOSI'IT.VL OK WATKKBURY 

St. Mary's Hospital, which is conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph, opened 
its doors for the care of patients in 1909. 

The need of thoroughly equipping an institution of this beneficent character 
became more and more pressing. The women of Watcrbury met on March 7, 
1908, and organized what is now known as St. Mary's Hospital Aid Association. 
It was through its splendid eft'orts that the hospital was enabled when it finally 
began its great work of service, to present an institution supplied with every 
convenience and modern appliance for the care of the sick. 

St. Mary's Hospital may be called a monument to the memory of the late 
Right Rev. Mgr. William J. Slocum. It was through his effort that the initial 
funds were raised, he starting it with a contribution of $20,000, and it was largely 
through his urging that the building project assumed shape in igo6 and 1907. 
In the latter year the State of Connecticut contributed $10,000 to the under- 
taking, adding $6,250 to this in 1909. 

The total cost of land and buildings up to January i, 191 1, was $247,555.39. 

The building is constructed on the models of the finest institutions of the 
kind in the country. Its equipment is in every way up-to-date. 

Dr. D. J. Maloney furnished the children's ward ; Mary J. Russell and mem- 
bers of her family fumished another ward. Others were furnished, one by 
friends in memory of J. C. ^lulville, one by Frank P. Brett and Mary Minnehan, 
one by E. T. and Jeremiah H. Daly, one by Notre Dame, one by St. Bonaventure's 
Alumnae, one by the St. Thomas Parish, and one by Fred Wm. Derwin. Many 
private rooms were endowed in addition to the above ward endowemnts. 

In July. I9T0, the hospital was formally incorporated, the board consisting of: 
President, Right Rev. John Nilan, D. D., vice president. Rev. Luke Fitzsimons, 
P. R. ; superintendent, Sister Mary Xavier, all of whom continue in their 
respective offices. The directors were Right Rev. John Nilan. D. D.. Very Rev. 




ST. MAIIVS IKiSI'lTAL. WATKlililT-tY 



WATIIRIIL'RY AND Till-: XAL'GATUCK \'AL1,FA' 165 

Thomas Du.^ryaii, \'. < 1.. Rev. Luke Fitzsinious. 1*. U.. RiiL,'ht Rev. Jnhn .'^yniioth, 
Rev. Timothy C'rowlfw U,. D., Rev. James I*'.. ( )'l'>rien, W'm. S. Jones. Terrcnce 
I". CarmcKK', Alorlimer I feffernan, W'm. Kemieily. 'J'homas F, Jackscjii, Sister 
Mary Germain. 

The lirst meiheai staff of .St. .Mary's ii(i'-]iital was as follows: President, 
Dr. r.. < i. ()'Jiara: \iee president, I'r. Nelson .\. I 'omeroy ; secretary. r)r. John 
D. T'"rene\-. The surgeons were Doctors I'limeroy. Kilmartni, l.'rane, 1 .awlor, 
Russell and, ( )'t.'onnor. 'I'he consult:int^ were 1 )rs. D. F. Sullivan, J. F. ( I'Con- 
nor, J. 1',. Roucher of Hartford, T. \-. Mc(;rath of .\'e\v York, and J. J. ili.qgins 
of .\ew York. The |ihysici;ms were Drs. .M. J. Donahue, 1'. J. Dwyer, J. H. 
Dillon, F. I. McFarnev, 1. f. McLinden, I'. I. I'.rcnnan. The consultants were 
Drs. T. E. Castle, A, W'. fracv of Merideii, \\\ j. llo-,n, \V. J. Delaney of Nau- 
gatuck, D. Reidy of Winsted.' \V. J. Rarher. Jr., W . J. Conklin of Ansonia, J. H. 
Kane of Thomaston, L. J. Thihault. ( lynecolooisi. Dr. Charles .\. Monagan; 
obstetrician. Dr. I!. .\. ( )'I [ar;i ; o])hthalm(>logist. Dr. D. F. Maloney ; liryngologist, 
and aurist. Dr. J. D. Freney ; derniatolooists, Drs. C. \V. S. Frost '.-hkI 'f. J. 
McLarney: pediadrists, Drs. J. I{. h'arrell and T. F. Healey : radiographist and 
orthopedist. Dr. J. 1.. Moriarl\- ; r>athologi>i. Dr. 1). I;. Deming; gastrologist, 
Dr. J Gancher. 

In ii)ii the hospit.il cared for 1,705 jjaticnts, an increase of 2.V» o\er the 
previous \ear. In iim-' there was an increase (if ,^73 ]),atit-nts or j,<xti cases 
treated at the hospit.al ; in i<)i V 2.202; in IW14. i.voo; in n)iS, 2,')io: in i()i6. 

St. Marv's llos|iital as it is today has long since reached the liiuU of its 
capacity and the need of additional facilities is so ap])arent th.it the two ])roper- 
ties adjoining the hos])ital on Franklin .Street h;i\e now been ])urchased, the one 
costing $11,500 and the other isi 5.001.1. ( )n this it is jiroposed to conslruci the 
necessary additions just as soon as building conditions warrant. 

The Nurses Home, which was 0])ened two years after the dedication of the 
hospital, has been an efl'cctive aid to the institution and is in charge of a corps of 
thoroughly experienced teachers. 

.St. Mary's Hospital .Aid Association, which w.as organized two years before 
the actual opening of the hospital and which .11 the very outset supplied the 
furnishings for the institution, has continued its splendid work of looking after 
the minor needs of the liospital. No year has passed without its array of useful 
gifts to the institution and patients. 

The officers of St. Mary's Hospital .\i<l .Xs^oci.ation follow: I'resident, Mrs. 
M. T- Lawlor ; recording secretarv, .\ngel:i .Maloney; financial secret.ary, Mar- 
garet Higgins ; treasurer. Susan O'Neil. 

The medical staff of the hospital is ;it ])resent as follows: I'resident, P.. A. 
OTIara, M. D. ; \ice president. Nelson -\. Pomeroy. AL D. ; secretary, J. D. 
Frenev. M. D. ; visiting jihvsicians, P. ]. Brennan, AL F). ; M. T. Donahue, AI. D. ; 
T. J. ATcI.arney, M D. ; j' TT. Dillon, "M. D. ; V. J. Dwyer, M. D. ; J. J. McTJn- 
den, M. D.: assistant physician. R. J. P.iwton, M. D., Terryville ; consultant phy- 
sicians, \V. ]. Del.anew M. D. ; \\'. .\. ReilK-, M. D.. Naugatuck; visiting surgeons, 
T. J. Kilmartin, M.'D. ; N. .\. I'omen.y.'M. D. ; M. J. Lawlor, Af. D. : G. W. 
Pus.sell, AL D; 1'. T. ( )'Connor, Al. D. ; con>ultant surgeon, .\. .A. Crane. AT. D. ; 
assistant surgeons, J. W. I^ruin, M. D. ; T. )•". Parker, AL D. ; J. .\. Grady, 
AL D. : A. P. A'astola, AL D. ; attending surgeons, John Sinclair L)ye, AI. D. : 
Andrew Jackson, AI. D. ; gynecologist, Charles A. Alonagan, AT. D. ; proctolooist. 
John J. Fgan, AI. D. ; obstetrician. B. A. O'Hara. AI. D. ; pediatrists, J. V.. Far- 



166 WATERBLRV AND TH?: XAUGATUCK \ALLEY 

rell, M. U. ; T. J. Healcy, M. D. ; R. J. Quinn, M. D. : ophthalmic surgeon. D. J. 
Maioney, M. D. ; laryngologist, J. D. Freney, M. I).; orthopedist, J. L. Moriarty, 
.\r. D. ; radiographists, J. L. Moriarty, M. D. ; J. H. McGrath, M. D. ; dermatolo- 
Frost.'gist, T. J. McLarney, M. D. ; consultants, T. M. Bull, M. D. ; C. \V. S. 
.M. 1). ; gastrologist. J. P.. Gancher. M. D. 



Cll.VPTEK XI \ 

Till'. < )R(,A.\iz.\ riox OF CH.\Kn■^■ 

ORGANIZATION (II' Till-: ASSdCl ATICD ( II AKITIKS (IIANr.F, IN OFFKTALS SOCIAL 

SKRVHT-; (Hi; WD ns work — AIDINC Illh. KIT! iRdSS — TiiK r.ril.DINC OF I.IX- 

(()i,.\ iiorsi'- — Tin-: ANTi-rii'.i;K(TT.(isis i.FM.ri-; — startini; the open-air 

S(;H(>(II. — RlAdRDS OF TWn ^ l-ARS — IIS illTK I AI.S IIRST "rMTIT) ( IIARITIFS" 

DAY NlIRSER'i' THE S( HP II M \ ■! r> IIIIMI-. — KINc's I )A r( i I ITia^S — ]: \V.\ WELFARE 

STATION THE ni'EEN's nAL(i MTl'.RS UArCHTERS OF AMERICA SALVATION 

ARMY. 

In \Vat(.'rljurv. a s^dUTation as^o. <_-\eryli(Hly knew cvcryhodN else, and sick- 
ness or niisforlune that called for more tlian simple neij^hhorlv lielj) could be 
brought to the attention of churches, lodt^a-s or em|)lo\ers and sjieedily relieved 
with certainty as to the conditions to be anielicn-ated. lUit as the city grew this 
communal system became disorganiztMl. I'or manv x'ears after the depression 
which began in 1893 tliere was no public emergency that called for relief with 
the exception of the South Walerbury lire, which made many families homeless. 
The panic of 1908 fell suddenly and brought with it the realization that the exist- 
ing social machinery had not grown with the communitv and that a systematic 
organization of charitable efYort was necessars'. 

Before this, there had been a deepening social c(.)nsciousness and .a deepening 
interest in the communit\'s li\ing conditions which had m.anifestcd itself, espe- 
cially in the .anti-tuberculosis wurk. part of a nation-wide crusade. Mail)' good 
enterprises were already on foot; some of them showed a lendenc\' at times to 
overlap and some means of pre\enting duplication of effort became necessary. 
Thus the .\ssociated Charities of \\'aterbur\' was formed in okx;, largely as a 
result of experience and observation of conditions during the preceding year. 

Lincoln House, the permanent home oi the Vssociated Cdi.arities, has been 
(lesignetl for the Social .Serxice work of the comnumit\. It was fiirmally occu- 
pied during .\ugust, 11)17. This siileiidid structure, ideal f(n- its jiurpose, is the 
gift of a small coterie of W'aterliury's most prominent citizens, who have ex- 
pended appr(.i.ximately forty-two thousand dollars in their self-imposed task of 
properly housing the benclicent actixities of the community. It max be said to 
mark for permanence the great work of co-ordinated charitx in W'aterljury. 

< >f the growth of the Associ.ated Charities sinee the date of its organization, 
and of the growth as well of the altruistic s]iirit that has f.itlu-red the movement, 
the following figures of monies r.iiscd and e\]iended since < )ctober 1. ok"). speak 
in no uncertain tones: 

( V'toVier, i\jai. to June .V- i''"' S 3.8()_:i.32 

Julx- I. i()ici. to June .^(1, Kji I 5.705.54 

July I . KM I. to June 30. lol^ 7-57^~*'' 

Jul) I. i()i2, to June 30, i()i.^ 8,0()7.i4 

July I, KM.v to June 30, 1014 (),6i8.32 

167 



168 WATKRr.URY AXD THE NAUGATUCK \ AT.LEV 

Juh' I, 1914, to June 30, 1915 14,462.61 

July I, 1915, to June 30, 1916 10,389.90 

July r, 1916, to June 30, 1917 11,725.15 



$71,472.94 



This total does not include the money separately raised for playground work. 

The Associated Charities 9f Waterbury began its labors of co-ordinating and 
directing the charitable efforts of the community on October i, 1909, and from 
that date until the end of its fiscal year, June 30, 1917, it has had under careful 
investigation and consideration ap])roximately forty-five hundred cases, involv- 
ing close to fourteen thousand individuals. This is sufficient testimony that the 
organization has ably carried out its important mission of supplementing the 
various philanthropic enterprises which prior to 1909 worked along distinct lines, 
in many instances duplicating and confusing the great work of helpfulness to the 
unfortunates in Waterbury. 

Today by means of the organization, all of the city's jihilantbropic enterprises 
— district nursing, relief work, the war on tuberculosis, day nurseries, boys' and 
girls' clubs — are all in the field, each with its corps of willing and trained work- 
ers, laboring together and co-ordinated on behalf of the destitute and stricken. 

The functions of the Associated Charities may be regarded as fivefold. First. 
Co-ordination: To stand as a clearing house for the different philanthropic 
agencies, that each may know what the others are doing and thus be left free to 
carry its own work at highest efficiency. Second. Investigation : To inquire 
carefully into the needs of all applicants brought to its attention and bring them 
at once into communication with those organizations or other forces best fitted 
to meet the need. Third. Relief: To see that destitution is relieved so far as it 
is in its power to relieve it. Fourth. Civic Action: To endeavor to trace desti- 
tution to its social causes and to direct its energy toward the removal of those 
causes, wherever this is possible. Fifth. Charities Endorsement: To investi- 
gate the appeals for money or other assistance which come to the people of 
Waterbury from other cities for alleged charitable institutions or societies wher- 
ever these appeals come to its notice, and to keep on file a record of the results 
of intfuiries for the benefit of all citizens who may be aided by such information. 

The Associated Charities is in existence to study the problem of poverty in 
Waterbury as a whole. Its aim is to protect the community from the worst evils 
due to poverty and to place destitute families in a position to help themselves. 

The history of its inception begins with the growing conviction in the years 
just jirior to 1909, that a real and increasing need existed in the city for the 
establishment of some central office or agency to fill an evident gap in the local 
field of charitable effort. A number of active organizations for benevolent pur- 
poses were already in operation: the city department of charities, the churches, 
the hospitals, the day nurseries, the Industrial School, the P.oys' Club, the Visiting 
Nurses' Association (which does nearly all the external hospital work of the city), 
the Anti-Tuberculosis League, the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the 
King's Daughters, the Queen's Daughters (a group of noble women who came 
from France when the religious orders were suppressed), the Sunshine Society, 
the Salvation Army (organized in Waterbury in 1892), all were doing charitable 
work, but each along its own particular line and each independently of the others. 
As a result, there was considerable repetition of relief ; some beneficiaries were 
receiving assistance from several sources without the knowledge, one of the 
other; others, in equal or greater need, failed to receive the kind or amount of 



^^"ATERi',L■K^" AXD Till'. XAr(,AIL'CK \'AI.I.!'A' 1C!J 

assistaiu-c fitted tci their necessities. There was no central ofiice fr(ini which 
an3'oiie could learn whether an applicant fur relief was or was not already being 
aided hy other means. I'articidarly was the lacl-; felt of some place where the 
htrsv citizen or minister of a church, hesoui;ht hy frequent apfieals for aid, could 
send an applicant and know that his case would he carefidly in\ cslii^aled and that 
he would be brought into touch with the agency hc'st suited to care for him. 

It is a pleasure to acknowdedge at this point the apjireciation that is felt for 
the insiiiration proceeding from the he;irt and mind of ]\li>;s Helen 1'.. Chase, 
whose time and means have always lieeii gixcn freel\- to brii^hleii the li\cs of 
others. Circumstances prevented Iter from taking an acti\e part in the organi- 
zation of the society and thanks arc due to a few dlher pulilic-s|iirited citizens for 
the initial steps. Following their delilierations and iheir desire lo oht.-iin the best 
advice on the subject, correspondence was st.irled with the Charity ( )rg.aniza- 
tion .Society and Kussell Sage Foundation in New N'ork L'hy. which resullc'd in 
sending to Walerbury in Ianu:iry, Ji)0<). Miss .Margaret 1'. llyington, one of the 
heads of the department for the extension of organized charily. 

Conferences were then held between some of the ministers of the city churches, 
the head workers and directors of several i)hilanthro]MC organizations, and a group 
of business men invited for the purpose, at which Miss Ryinglon explained the 
objects, principles and methods of charity organization societies. 'I'he opinion 
was generally expressed by those present that such a society was needed in \\ ater- 
bury. As a result of these meetings, a committee of eleven persons was appointed 
to take charge of the formation of the proposed society. This committee, as 
finally constituted, consisted of represenfatix e> fr<im eight churclus, from the city 
government, and from the general body of business men. and included the fol- 
lowing persons: Chairman, John Moriarty ; secretary, Robert I'-. I'latt ; |ohn M. 
Burrall, Wallace II. Camp, Terrence F. Carmody, Isidore Chase, Louis K. Fitz- 
-imons, Charles V. Kellogg, William (J'Xed, Arciiib.ild F. Ric, .iiid J. K. Smith. 
Frecjuent meetings of this committee were held during the winter months. On 
February 28, 19CK), a general meeting was hekl at which delegates from the vari- 
ous churches and charitable organizations were present, articles of association 
were signed by thirty-one persons, and a constitution and by-laws for the pro- 
jiosed society were adopted. A body of thirty-six directors-at-large was elected 
at this time and an address was given liy j. 1!. Deacon, manager of the Associated 
Charities of Paterson, N. J. 

The first regular meeting of the board of directors was held in City Hall 
.\nnex on April 18, IQOQ, wdnen the ofTlcers and executi\e committee were elected 
who had charge of the society during its first year of active existence. A special 
public meeting of the society was held on May 23th, in Institute Hall, at which a 
re\ised constitution and by-laws were adopted and James Minnick, superintend- 
ent of the Society for Organizing Charity in Providence, R, I., spoke upon some 
of the liroatler aspects of organized charity work. 

At all of the meetings of the organizing committee, and later of the execu- 
tive committee, mucli attention was de\oted to the nature of the work that it 
was proposed to do in W^atcrbury, and to the question wdiether there should be 
engaged as manager of the society some resident of the place, or whether some 
person of experience should be secured el>ewhere who had had training in this 
particular kind of work. The decision was in favor of. engaging .'in t^xpierienced 
worker. The executive committee felt itself fortunate in securing in July, 1909, 
as manager of the Waterbury society, Howard L. Udell, who had just crini|ileted 
a year and a half as head of the Associated Charities of Pawlmkct. K. 1., and 
before that had been for three years in the Bureau of Charities in t'bicago. jxtrt 
of the time in charge of one of the large district offices of that society. 



170 WATERBL'RY AXD THE XAlTiA TUCK \ ALLEY 

The Associated Charities of Waterbury opened its office in the CowelLGuiL 
foile Building, on October i, 1909, under the direction of Mr. Udell. 

In the very first nine months of its history, the nature of its work was made 
clear. It provided hospital care in 15 cases and it referred patients in 42 in- 
stances to the .\nti- Tulierculosis League, and in 26 instances to the \'isiting Nurses' 
Association. 

(^f the 64 cases of unemployment which were brought to it during the nine 
months ending July i, 1910, not a few were the result of either intemperance or 
inefficiency. Thirty applications for help were traced directly to intemperance. 
2<S to old age. 21 to accidents, 19 to death of the bread-winner or some older 
member of the family, 11 to grave mental defects. 7 to poverty and illness attrib- 
utable directly to immorality, 4 to the bread-winner being imprisoned, several 
to desertion, and 51 to the power of self-support having been destroyed or seri- 
ously impaired by the habit of promicuous begging. 

During this initial period the .Associated Charities was asked to give or with- 
hold its endorsement in si.x instances where outside persons solicited funds in 
Waterbury for alleged charitable institutions. Two of these were pretended uni- 
versities in the South. Most careful inquiries could not, however, discover any- 
thing resembling a university in either of the places. In one there were few, if 
any, students, and the man who posed as president evidently reaped considerable 
profit out of northern philanthropists, desirous of helping the cause of education 
among the colored race. The other was declared by persons having knowledge 
of the situation, to be inefficient to the last degree. The organization was also 
called upon by out-of-town societies and institutions to make investigations in 
twenty-three instances. 

The keynote of the second year's labor of the .Associated Charities was 
sounded at the annual and mid-winter meetings of its board of directors. The 
first of these was addressed by Dr. Hastings H. Hart, of the Russell Sage Foun- 
dation, on the general subject of "Child-Helping.'' The speaker compared at 
length the advantages of home and institutional care for children and showed the 
incomparable superiority of home life as a means of fitting a boy or girl for ulti- 
mate citizenship. .At the second meeting, Judges Clark, of Hartford, and Math- 
ewson, of New Haven, told of the s])lendid work done in each of these cities by 
a woman probation officer, in visiting the homes of neglected or incorrigible chil- 
dren, guiding them and their ]3arents toward better living. .As a result of their 
representations, the meeting i)lacc<l itself on record as urging the desirability of 
a])pointing a woman probation officer in \\'aterbury. After a thorough investiga- 
tion of the c|ualifications of various candidates, the choice fell upon Miss Lillian 
Greenwood, of Philadelphia, whose services in Waterbury began September i, 

T()I I. 

During the summer of ii;m. the South Main Street playground was opened 
through the efforts of the .Associated Charities, and Miss Sadie Bleistift, a teacher 
in one of the New A'ork public schools and an experienced worker in the recre- 
ation centers of that city, was engaged as play-leader, entering on her services 
July 1st and continuing until .August 31 st. During that time her capability and 
resourcefulness was the wonder of all who saw her. .\n attractive feature was 
the folk-dancing, in which the girls took part with great enthusiasm, while the 
younger ones had their time and talent absorbed by the study of one of Mrs. 
John Shotwell's charming playlets. 

The regretted and unexpected de])arture in May. 1912, of the manager. How- 
ard I.. Udell, to a position of larger responsibility and remuneration as head of 
the Associated Charities in Detroit, Mich., called attention to the affairs of the 



WAri'RI'.im A\l) Till', XAl'CATL'CK \" Al.l.l'A 171 

W'aterbury socic-ty in a \va_\ that his (juii-'t Init I'tl'cctixc wurk nii^ht nut nthcrwist- 
have done. .\s his successor, the execiiti\e committee secured Eugene Kerner. 
of Newark. X, J., who came highly recommended after two \ cars' exjierieiice in 
the (Organized Charities of Chicago, fourteen months as hf,i<l (if the ( )hio \'al!ey 
district of the Associated (/harities of Pittsburgh, and two vrais as organizer of 
the state-wide aiUi-tuhercukisis campaign in Kentuck\". 

An interesting e\eiU in the record fur tiie \ear kjij was the incdrimraliiin of 
the .society under the general laws of the state, regulating the formation of \iiliui- 
tary associations without capital stock. 

Some further evidence of the helpful work of the .\ssociateil Charitit-^ .nnong 
the destitute and stricken was brought out in the manager's re]iort for the fiscal 
year ended June 31.1. loi-. Among the 5SS families aiiplying to the soiielv in the 
Near I()ll-iijl2 there were fouml J75 ])ersons suii'ering from bodiK or mental 
defects of long standing and not susceptible to immediate cure. Se\ent\'-one of 
these were victims i.if tuberctdosis, 14 suffering from defective sight. 11 were 
feeble minded, there were 7 p.ir.ilytics, there were '1 e|)ilcptics. (1 ius.ane, h who 
suffered from chronic heart trouble, 5 deaf mutes. 5 suffering from rheumatism. 
4 handicapped with chronic kidney troubk'. 4 totally lilinti, 3 with deformed feet. 
3 affected with serious \enereal trouble. 3 with spinal difficulty. 2 with r>riglit's 
tlisease. broken back, infantile [laralysis, deformed hand, cancer, loss of an arm. 
loss of a hand, mental l)ackwardness. loss of a leg. and defecti\e speech. In addi- 
tion to these there were S families having tuliercul.ir historx . (> in which tubercu- 
losis was stispected. .and iji cases of alcoholism. 

There were 22 instances of -ex immorality. (1 f;imilie< with children in the 
reform school, O ad<licted to the habitual use of drugs, m iruanl children. 5 incor- 
rigibles, 4 ]iersons with simply ;i police r<'Cord. 4 others wh(r had served time in the 
penitentiarv, 3 ]iri\atelv known to lie disjione-l. 3 mereh irresjionsible. _' sex 
degenerates, and _' deserting mothers. 

In the summer of ii)i2, \\'aterbury possessed four pulilic |il.iygroinids in addi- 
tion to the two conducted respectively bv the \\'aterbur\ Industrial .'school and 
the .Associated Charities. 

What the Associated Charities has lieen able to do in the interest of housing 
reform in Waterbury has been, as yet, only tentative. Through the efforts of the 
society a coinmittee of the State Conference was enabled to authorize an investi- 
gation of the housing conditions of the city. The services of Dr. Carol Aranovici, 
formerly with the Bureau of Municipal Research in New York .and later at Prov- 
idence, were secured by this committee. Under his direction, an investigation 
was conducted which co\ered i.ocx.) tenement houses in Waterbury and the 
resitlt of this sur\ e\' \\;is presented in ,1 series of gra[ihic stereopticon pictures at 
the second meeting of the ."^tate (..'onference on the evening of .Sundaw .April (4. 
0)12. 

.\n interesting fe.atuie of the activities of i()i_> was the organizing of the 
Social .'-iervice Club, tif which all persons having rendered some service to any 
one of the citv's |ihilanthropic organizations are eligible. It meets one evening 
each month, from < )ctnl)er to .Ma\-. Its program consists of a dinner, followed 
by an address from some sjieci.alist in social work on his own-chosen line, con- 
cluding with a general discussion. This club h;is for its object, chiefly the promo- 
tion of acquaintance ancl good-fellow -hip .imong the .active workers in the chari- 
talile field, .and secondarily to provide an intellectual stimulus th;it can not fail to 
be a source of .added strength for the tasks of the day. 

It was in the fiscal years ended June 30, 1914, and June 30, h)I3, respectively, 
that the .\ssociated Charities h.'ul its greatest tasks. During the winter of 1014 



172 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

it rctidcred some kind of useful service to 775 families, comprising 3,434 individ- 
uals, of whom 1,892 were children under fourteen years of age. Twenty-four 
nationalities were represented. This number docs not include hundreds of home- 
less men who applied for assistance. 

It met the unusual conditions of hundreds of unemployed by providing 882 
days of emergency employment for all able-bodied men with families. It paid 
these men daily in the form of cash, food, fuel or rent as seemed best for each 
particular case. There was spent in this way $1,335.45. It kept the men in good 
physical condition and preserved their independence and self-respect. To the 
splendid success of this scheme much credit is due to the city street department, 
which furnished the teams, tools and foremen for the work. 

It created sewing for a large number of women who were the bread-winners 
for the family. The sum of $1,373.08 was spent in this way for labor and mate- 
rial. These women turned out 3,800 garments, 2,521 of which were sent to the 
Red Cross and Belgian Relief, and the remainder were used locally. 

It secured the co-operation of citizens, who provided days work for the unem- 
I)loyed and paid them in ca.sh. 

With the return of prosperity came a new problem for the Associated Chari- 
ties, — that of providing for those hard hit by the high cost of living. In its report 
for the year ended June 30, 1916, the manager says: "There are many families 
with a large number of children \vho are worse off now than before our prosperity 
began. We spent $4,415.53 in the form of material relief in giving needed aid 
to these families. 

"No able-bodied and mentally normal men have applied to the Associated 
Charities during the entire year. Only sick, old and physically handicapped are 
asking for help now. The present demand for able-bodied men only makes their 
case more pitiful. 

".Material relief without careful personal service is not enough for these fami- 
lies. Where there is illness, careful attention must be given to insure proper med- 
ical care. The well members must be given adequate income so that they may 
be kept well. 

"Where defective eyes are formed, a competent oculist is consulted and glasses 
purchased. Where children have improper clothing and shoes for school, the 
parents must be persuaded (in some cases forced) to buy them, or if upon inves- 
tigation they are found unable to buy these articles, they must be provided for 
them. 

"With the relief goes the care and plan for the future, which is the only 
thing that really makes relief worth while. To give a man food one day and not 
sufficient thought and service with it to know what will become of him the next 
day will secure no benefit for him. The Associated Charities aims to remove as 
far as possible the cause of poverty, thus making the need for relief less neces- 
sary." 

Nor does the work of helpfulness end here. There is the task also of the 
Visiting Housekeeper, w'ho is working with scores of families monthly. 

As secretary of the Committee on Civilian Relief of the local Red Cross Chap- 
ter, the manager of the Associated Charities had charge of the investigations and 
disbursements of the fund for dependent families of soldiers called to the Mex- 
ican border in 1916, in the Army service. The workers of the Associated Chari- 
ties at all times give freely of their services to kindred social service work, such 
the the Red Cross work. Christmas Seal Campaign, Social Service Club, and 
others. 

During the fiscal year ended June 30. 1917, the unusual growth and develop- 



\vateri;l"RV axd tiii-: xai-catl'ck \ ai.ijcv it;; 

rncnt of the Red Cross work, due to the war, has tested the energies of the Asso- 
ciated Charities. Its Kcd Cross Ci\'iHan Relief work lias also gone on along the 
lines of the Mexican niohilization jieriod. 

Its regular work of assistance for the poor and the sick has been looked after 
with the expert skill which has gi\cn the Associated Charities of W'aterliury a 
title to the gratitude of the community. 

The ol'ticers of the organization at present are: John 1'. Ellon, ])resiilent ; 
Darragh DeLancey, vice ])resident : Edwin C. Xorthrop. treasurer; Rohert \i. 
Piatt, secretary: luigene Kerner. manager; executive committee, ^Irs. |. llohnrt 
Bronson, Mrs. Arthur R. Kimball, Miss Ahce Kingsbury, ^\■. .S. lones. Dr. D. B. 
Deming. Charles P. Kellogg. \\'alter D. Makepeace, and Mrs. TLB. Wade. 

The (lirectors-at-large elected in U)i~ were: ^frs. J. Iloiiart Bronson, Rev. 
E. D. Buckley, Rev. Robert E,. Brown, Mrs. W. U. C.imp. T. E. Carmodv, Miss 
Helen E. Chase, Isidore Chase, X. Combellack. Darrai^h Del.ancev, Dr. .\. Bed- 
ford-Deming, Dr. D. B. Deming, John P. Elton, Mrs. John P. h:itun. Dr. E. ]. 
Erbe, (ieorge A. Goss, Mrs. K. D. Hamilton, II. C. Ib.adlev, Mrs. L\ A. I.ickson, 
William S. Jones, :\Irs. A. R. Kimball, Miss Alice Kingslniry. W. D. Makepeace. 
Julius Maltljy, Dr. James E. Moriarty, John Moriartv, Edwin C. Xorlhroj). 
William O'Xeil. Miss Katherine E. Peck. Robert E. Piatt! Rev. H. B. Sloat. Mrs. 
Archer J. .Smith. Cornelius Tracy, Mrs. 1 [. E. Wade, Jay 11. Hart. 

THii .\XTi-Tui'.i:Rci'i,nsi.s r.i-:.\Gfi-: of w.\TERi:rRv 

\\'aterbury's .Anti-Tuberculosis League was fifhcialK' org.anized Eebruarv iC), 
TiX'S. During the nine years of its existence, it has a record of upwards of one 
hundred and se\enty thousand visits to houses in which advice or sersice was 
needed. It has taken out of Waterburv and i>laced into sanitarium or into health- 
ful country surroundings ajiproximately four thousand patients, who thus ceased 
to be a menace to family and friends. (Outdoor sleeiiing accommodations have 
lieen provided in se\eral Iiundred cases. Caretakers have been suiiplied in many 
instances; milk, food, and medicine ha\e been distributed where' needed. The 
open air school, now a part of Waterl)ury's school system, was inaugur;ited. The 
children's clinic has done incalculable good. 

These results, thus briefly summarized, give the objects that underlie the 
organization of the Waterbury Anti-Tuberculosis League. 

It was at a meeting, not well attended, in the early days of igoS, that the first 
stejis were taken to create the league. .\t this meeting an address was delivered 
by John F. Gunshanan, of Hartford, and the plan of organization was outlined 
by the men and women who have I)cen continuously at its helm. These were 
Arthur R. Kimball, still the president of the league; Dr. Thomas J. Kilmartin, 
secretary throughout its history, and Dr. Elizabeth C. .Spencer, of its early execu- 
tive committee and now an honorary member. 

The plan of organization embodied the election of delegates liy the various 
fraternal societies to represent them on a central committee. This central coiu- 
miltee, consisting of 156 delegates, met and elected the customary officers and an 
executive committee of fifteen, who were empowered to carry on the acti\e work. 
The executive committee organized immediately and proceeded to adopt consti- 
tution and by-laws. It was early decided that the dispensary system of reaching 
and aiding those afflicted was the one best suited for \\'aterbury and contributions 
were solicited from the various societies that had sent delegates. Societies re- 
sponded in amounts ranging from five to one hundred dollars, and in a very 
sliort time $1,310.59 was raised in this way. Pri\ate contributions brought the 



174 WA'ri'.Rl'.URV AXD THE XALGATUCK \ ALLEY 

amount up to $2,037.02, and with this fund as a nucleus the real work began by 
the installing of iMary C. (iormley as nurse in charge, the supplying of the needy 
with articles of diet suited to their condition, and the ])roviding of means for an 
out-of-door life to those who could not otherwise procure it. 

It seems only simple justice to make official record in this place of the league's 
appreciation of the remarkable and devoted work, in behalf of the success of 
\Vaterbury's first Tag Day, of Dr. Elizabeth C. Spencer, her immediate associates, 
and practically all the women of W'aterbury. This gave an additional $5,965.28 
for the work of the league during the first year. 

The actual labors in behalf of W'aterbury's victims of the White i'lague 
liegan April 20, i<jo8. 

At first, when the patients were few in numljer, the nurse was able to give 
them considerable jiractical care. But as the number increased, it was evident 
that preventive and educational work must take the lead, and the friends and 
relatives of the ])atients must receive instruction that would enable them to give 
baths and attend otherwise to the personal comfort and well-being of the patients. 

A number of cases were reported by the Board of Health, Board of Charities, 
a few by the doctors, and some by the patients themselves, their friends, and other 
sources. The favorable cases were discovered by having those who had been 
exposed to the disease examined by Doctor Deming at his class meeting on 
Wednesday mornings, when ])ossible for the patient to attend, or at his ofiice by 
a])]X)intment. 

.'\ summary of the first year's work is interesting. Eifteen patients were sent 
to the (iaylord FuTm Sanatorium, only two of whom were self-supporting. Two 
oatients were supi)orted by the league, three by different fraternal organizations, 
one by the Board of Charities, five by individuals interested in work being done, 
and two by presidents of manufacturing concerns. 

Two jiatients, rejected from (iaylord F"arm Sanatorium, were sent to a sani- 
tarium in Rutland, Mass. One of these was self-su])porting and one was sup- 
jjorted by two clergymen. 

One patient was sent to the Hartford Hospital, and one was sent to Ireland 
by the Board of Charities ; one was sent to Ireland by relatives ; one to Cleveland, 
O., by fraternal organizations ; one to Denver, Colo., by a benevolent society ; one 
went South by the aid of friendly subscriptions ; one went to Providence, R. I., 
and one ex-patient of Caylord I'arm .Sanatorium went to work in W'estfield, 
Mass. Five were sent to country places where homes had been secured. 

One hundred and fifty-two ]iatients were visited by the nurse, a total of 1,872 
visits being made. 

Fourteen patients were ordered to slec]) out of doors on verandas, protected 
by drop curtains ; twenty reclining chairs were loaned to patients while taking the 
cure at home, and to ten patients room and board allowance were given. 

At the beginning of the second year, it was found necessary to engage the 
services of a second nurse, and Miss Josephine V. Hayes, a graduate of the New 
York City Training School, having had considerable experience, and being a verj- 
efficient Waterbury nurse, received the appointment. The work of instructing 
and helping patients in their homes was therefore strengthened and a great deal 
of good has been accomplished. 

During the second year, 162 new cases were given service and ,^850 visits 
were recorded by nurses. Of the 27 patients sent to Gaylord Farm Sanatorium, 
in 1909, only 6 were self-supporting, 8 were supported by private individuals, 8 
received partial sujjport by the league, 2 were entirely supported by the league, 
I by the city, 9 received help from manufacturers and fraternal organizations. 



WATELKl'.Lin- AM) 11 ll'. X AL'GATL'CK NALLl-A' IT.J 

During this year the work grew ajnice, and Dr. I (udley B. 1 )eniing, a>sistaiil 
secretary, recorded over one hundred examinations. Dr. John J-^. I'^arrell was 
ai)i>ointed to take special charge of a children's anti-tuberculosis class. 

In 1912 the opening of the pavilion for children in the (iaylord Ivirni .^ana- 
tiiriiini supplied a long-felt need. Two Waterhury chililren were ^ent there hy 
the league immediately after the opening. 

Two years ago the open air school, which had lieen cunducted 1>_\ ilie leagtie 
with eminent success, was turned over to the school system. It i> now cnndiicted 
during the school year on the roof of the Clark School. The averag<' niuuher of 
pupils is forty. These are all those in the public schools who show .1 tendency to 
lung trouble, and who have ])ermission of parents to attend the scIukjI. I'.reak- 
fast and noonday lunches are supplied, and these consist of the diet so essential 
in cases with tubercular tendencies. 

In August. 1917, the league occupied its new r<Joms in Lincoln Mouse. Here- 
after it will have splenditl accommodations in which to continue its work. 

The records for the last two years ended February, 11JI7. show the growth of 
the work. During this two year ])erio(l. 362 cases were sent to (iaylord Farm, 
586 were sent to state sanitaria, 145 to county or other institutions, a total of 
1 ,0()3 removed from Waterbury and no longer a menace to the healthy. During 
this two year period, league nurses visited 3,53<) cases needing special attention. 
Jn addition, 65,000 visits were made to houses in which advice or service was 
needed. 

During the nine years of its existence, Waterliurs 's citizens ha\c pni\i(le(l 
well for its needs, the total approximating close to seventy-fi\e thousand dollars. 

The officers of the league are as follows: President, A. K. Kimball: First vice 
president, J. L. Saxe ; second \ice president, S. F. Gorham ; secretary. Dr. T. J. 
Kilmartin ; assistant secretary. Dr. Dudley B. Deming; treasurer. Walter \\'. 
Holmes: iniblicity secretary, Eugene Kerner; executive comiuittee, ( )scar Zieg- 
ler, John Robinson, John F. ( ialvin. Christian F. Lund. William Tysoe. I''. S. 
Ciorham. Rocco Mancini. F'aul C Schnltze. A. W. Darley, W'illi.'im Dinneen, 
D. L. .'^umniex', W. L I'ape. .Albert l.anipke, l.^r. Ciias. luigelke. 

TH1-: 1--IKST "I'NITICD CII .\K1TI1£S" 

On April 30, 1894, at a meeting held in the old V. AL C. A. Mall the "United 
Charities" of Waterbury was organized. This to begin with co-operated with the 
Association for Christian \4sitation and Charity which had been organized in 
1891 by the Protestant churches of the city. At this meeting in April E. M. 
Dickinson represented the association for Christian \'isitation and Charity, Mrs. 
R. N. Blakeslee represented the King's Daughters, Henry W. Scovill represented 
the Boys' Club, Patrick Holahan the Catholic churches, Horace G. Hoadley the 
Citizens' Bureau. Later the Hebrew Ladies' Benevolent Association, the Indus- 
trial School and other like organizations joined. Until January i, i89f), the 
expense of maintaining the central office was borne by the directors of Christian 
Visitation and Charity, who also continued their work, particularly that con- 
nected with a broom factory established in 1893. Its secretary was Edward M. 
Dickinson. For two years it held its quarterly meetings in February, May, 
August and November, but in 1897 the organization work waneri and the activities 
were again taken uj) by the \arious societies. 

nil-: w.\TF.Ki;fKS' r>.\v xikserv 

The Waterbury Day Nursery, the object of which is the daily care of children 
under ten. whose mothers are forced to self-support outside their homes, had its 



176 \\^\TER^URY AND THE NAUGATUCK VAELEY 

beginning in I'A'bruary, 1895, in a small building on Leavenworth Street, later 
the site of the lire house. It began with the care of three babies whose cribs 
were market baskets, but under the devoted care of Mrs. Steinmeyer, the first 
matron, it grew both in number and equipment. In 1897 it moved to Spring 
Street, and in 1898 it secured the home on Kingsbury Street. This, with a large 
yard in the rear for a playground, made an ideal place for its work. 

One of its beautiful customs established since its second year is the annual 
Christmas tree which all of its children come to enjoy. 

In 191 1 its total attendance was 9,322. Its largest record for one day was 
fifty and its smallest eight. 

This record of service has been kept up through the years since then, with 
over fifty children on the list and an average daily attendance of thirty-six. Its 
record for May, 1917, was 762; for June, 745; for July, 948; for August, 648; 
for September, 639; for October, 646; for November, 858. 

The equipment for its work is ideal. The kindergarten is finished in red 
enamel and has in it all of the usual appurtenances of educational beginnings. 
The baby room is in white enamel and has thirteen cradles. In this room are 
low circular tables willi playthings. There are fine bathing facilities for the 
children. 

Dinner and supper are served the children daily. While no children over 
eight years of age are cared for, meals are provided for any little ones that 
require such service. 

At present Mrs. L. M. Fowler is superintendent. 

The officers of the Day Nursery arc: President, Edith Kingsbury; secretary, 
Mrs. 11. Milroy Steele; treasurer, Martha R. lOriggs. 

THE SOUTH M.WD IIOMK 

Mrs. Thomas Donaldson w^as the founder of Southmayd Home. Although 
it was not opened until 1898 it was in her mind as early as 1889, when she 
deposited $10 in a savings bank as the nucleus of a fund for the establishment 
of an Old Ladies' Home in Waterbury. Within four years she had secured 
$1,700 and many pledges, so that on June 26, 1894, the property on North Main 
Street on which the home was first located was purchased. 

It was the original purpose of Mrs. Donaldson to establish the home for 
members of the First Congregational Church only. But gradually the plan 
broadened, and although the lot and home were deeded to the First Church it 
was decided to make the home non-sectarian. 

The name "Southmayd" was suggested by Dr. Joseph Anderson in honor of 
one of the early pastors of the church. 

Its first board of managers was selected in December. 1894. and consisted of 
Mrs. Thomas Donaldson, Mrs. G. S. Parsons, Mrs. W. E. Riley, Mrs. C. F. 
Chapin, Mrs. O. S. Northrop, Mrs. C. A. Hamilton, Miss Susan H. Cairns of the 
First Church, Mrs. A. A. Blackman, Miss Charlotte P>. Merriman, Mrs. A. C. 
Northrop, Mrs. A. I. Goodrich, Miss Caroline A. Piatt representing the other 
churches of the city. H. H. Peck, E. C. Lewis and Cornelius Tracy were named 
as advisory committee. 

The managers did not meet until 1897. Mrs. Donaldson had, however, been 
busy and in August, 1897, announced that the Southmayd Home was free of 
debt and would be opened in the spring. 

At the first meeting of the board of managers, January 26, 1898, Mrs. A. I. 
Goodrich was chosen president; Miss Susan H. Cairns, secretary, which position 



\VATER^.L■R^' A\l) rill'. XAl'CATUCK NAI.LIA" 177 

slie still occupies, and Mrs. Thomas Donaldson, treasurer. It was not oiiened in 
the sjjring, but the delay was brief, for on September 2<>, i8i)S, the home was 
dedicated, its first occupant being Mrs. Betsey V>. Merritt. eighty-one years old 
and blind. She died at the home October 7, 1900. 

On January 6, 1901. the board selected Mrs. Thomas Donaldson as superin- 
tendent and she occupied this position until 191 1. Airs. Donaldson died in 
November, 1916. 

The home on North .Main Street was entirely inadequate, even with ;m annex 
which was later added, for it could accommodate but six old ladies. 

In 1911 the former Nurses' Home, of twenty-five rooms, part of the older 
buildings of the Waterbury Hospital, was leased to the Southniayd Home 
managers and it now accommodates sixteen old ladies. 

The organization has, however, purchased a lot on the llnulevanl and will 
begin the construction of an ideal Old Ladies' Home with more tiian double 
the present capacity, as soon as building conditions permit ami as quickly as a 
building fund can be obtained. The need of this is imperatixe, as the ajiplica- 
tions are now far beyond ca[)acity. 

The Southmayd Home has, through the l)ei|uest of I'^lisha Leavenworth and 
E. C. I^ewis, about $90,000 in its maintenance fund, liut this cannot be touched 
for building purposes. 

The officers and directors of the Southmayd Homic are as follows: President, 
Mrs. W. H. Pierce; vice president, Mrs. W. 1'". Riley; secretary. Miss S. H. 
Cairns; treasurer, Mrs. H. G. Anderson. 

Members of the board are: Mrs. W. H. I'ierce, Mrs. W. E. Riley, Miss S. H. 
Cairns, Mrs. H. G. Anderson, Mrs. W. W. Holmes. Mrs. C. A. Hamilton, Mrs. 
D. B. Deming, Mrs. W. S. Kellogg, Mrs. C. LL Merriam. Mrs. A. D. Field. 
Mrs. J. A. Coe. 

Members of advisory board: Cornelius Tracy. H. H. Peck. Edgar S. Lincoln. 

TlIK KIXC'S li.\l'i;HTl£RS 

The King's Daughters was organized in May, 1S88, and of its ten original 
members there are now living Mrs. L N. Russell. Ah's. R. William Hampson, Mrs. 
Ralph N. Blakeslee and Miss Florence Mabel Chapman. Mrs. A. I. Goodrich, 
who was its president for twenty-five years, died three years ago. She was also 
among the founders. The organization is non-denominational and does its work 
of benevolence and charity quietly and effectively. It takes many cases in hand 
which could not well be looked after by the Associated Charities. In many 
instances it supplies weekly allowances to really deserving poor. 

At Christmas time it distributes baskets of fruit to its long list of people 
needing help. 

In November, 1916. the King's Daughters purchased the three-story building 
at 38 Grove Street. In this, to begin with, six girls were provided with room 
and board. In November. 1017, there are twenty-two girls in Grove tlall and 
many applicants that cannot be considered because of lack of accommodations. 
The young women are given rooiu and board for $6.00 or $7.00 weekly. The 
property cost the King's Daughters $15,000, and this has nearly all been paid off. 

There are at present eighty members who pay annual dues anrl who secure 
donations for the work of the organization. 

Its president is Mrs. Ellen J. Whiton, the second to serve it in this capacity 
since its organization. Other officers are: Secretary, Miss Flora Church; treas- 
urer. Miss Helen Chase. The board of managers consists of the officers and 



178 WATERIU'RY AXD THE XAICATUCK \AI.1.EY 

Mrs. Ralph X. Ulakeske, Mrs. S. R. Kelsey, Mrs. George S. Bissett and Mrs. 
Rosa Simmons. The house mother is Mrs. Elizabeth C. Osborne. 

THE I!.\BV WELFARIi STATION 

The Visiting Nurses' Association of Waterbury among its many notable good 
deeds since its organization has done nothing more beneficial to the community 
than the establishment in June, 1916, of the Baby" Welfare Station at 904 Bank 
Street. There clinics are held weekly on Tuesday and Friday with volunteer 
medical services. A nurse is daily in attendance, and until 1 1 o'clock every morn- 
ing pasteurized milk is sold at wholesale to mothers. 

The Ladies' Aid Society has been a helpful factor in the. work. This consists 
of Miss Edith Kingsbury, Mrs. John N. Lewis, Mrs. Fred. S. Chase, Miss Martha 
R. Driggs, ATiss Xorth, Mrs. Henry L. Wade. 

THE queen's DATGHTERS 

The Queen's Daughters is a Catholic women's charitable organization, founded 
in 1900 with Father Dunnegan as its first chaplain. Since then it has been 
served in this capacity by Father Dooley of .Sacred Heart Parish, Father James 
Broderick and now Father J. A. Doherty of Immaculate Conception. It helps 
the poor and sick throughout the city by furnishing food, clothing, fuel, medicine, 
etc., by employing as nurses for the needy sick the Sisters of the Holy Ghost, 
who made 1,026 visits during the year, to November 30, 1917, and by giving 
treatment at St. Mary's Hospital when necessary. Its members now number 
362. Its officers are: Mrs. B. Doran, president; Margaret Higgins, vice presi- 
dent ; Mrs. J. Powers, recording secretary ; Anna D^vyer, financial secretary ; 
Rev. J. A. Doherty, treasurer and chaplain. 

The Sisters of the Holy Ghost are French nuns who sought refuge in the 
United States on their expulsion with many other religious orders from France. 

THE DAIJGIITERS OF AMERICA 

The Daughters of America, Lincoln Council No. 5, is the Waterbury branch 
of the national organization of that namie. The local council has been in existence 
since 1905. It pays only funeral benefits. Its membership is about thirty. 

Its present officers are : Curator, Mrs. Lillian Schroeder ; recording secretary, 
Mrs. Minnie Clark; financial sccretarx', C. L. Clark; treasurer. J. A. Schroeder. 

THE SALVATION ARMY 

The Salvation Army began its work in Waterbury in April, 1892, and the first 
officers in charge were Capt. Alexander Lamb and Lieut. W. Salmon. The first 
meetings were largely street gatherings, and night after night required police 
protection. A little later the interest increased and the old rink, which stood 
on the site of the present Buckingham Music Hall, was engaged for the meetings. 
Even though these were held indoors, they were by no means always of a peaceful 
nature. In fact, there is a story which has been handed down as an authentic 
Salvation Army human document, which tells how Captain Lamb was thrown 
out of a window by the roughs who had come to the rink to break up the meeting. 

But the work grew as it has grown in all American cities. The interest of 
Waterbury in the institution may be said to date from the mass meeting at the 



\\atj-:riu;kv a.xu the xalgatuck \ ai.i.e^ 179 

Auditorium Uctuher 29, 1894, wiien the head of the army, (ien. William iJooth, 
addressed both indoor and overflow gatherings. 

In 1895 the social or industrial work of the army was started hy t'apt. John 
York. This was made possible by the helpfulness of VVaterbury citizens. Henry 
W. Scovill loaned the army the land on which its first woodyard was established. 
Ralph N. Blakeslee gave his team to draw the wood, and there were many gen- 
erous people who gave the money to buy the wood or gave the wood. This was 
very successful through several cold winters, and was one of the l)est aids the 
city had in its charitable work. 

In 1900 the army was in a position to occupy a Iniilding of its own, and the 
present two-story structure at 281 Bank Street was erected by Mrs. Ida Norton. 
While it was used for a time, it was not until 1905 that it was bought outright. 
One ground floor store is rented out. and the remainder is used for the religious 
work of the army. The officers in charge today feel that the Salvation Army 
needs new and larger quarters and in a section where it can be more useful. 

One other notable visit, that of Commander Ijooth-Tucker, now in charge of 
the Salvation .Army work in India, in 1005. attracted local attenti(jn to its work 
and was followed by generous assistance dh the jiarf of puhlic-sjiirited citizens 
of Waterbury. 

From 1905 on, the army leased the building at .^24 South .Main Street for its 
industrial work. This proved of exceptional value in the charitable work of the 
city. To supplement the work done in this building, Mr. Scovill loaned the army 
the property at the corner of Field and Meadow streets, where baling of paper 
was done and furniture and garments were sorted for distribution in the larger 
building. During the past five years, six teams have been employed collecting 
furniture, garments, shoes, paper, in a wide area. Twentv-livc to thirty men 
ha\'e been given employment. This wurk, until A]>ril, \<)\j. was in charge of 
Envoy Harry G. Frese. 

At that time the rented building at .V4 South Main Street was sold, the rent 
was trebled, and the army forced to give uj) its industrial work in Waterbury, as 
it was found impossible to find another suitable location at a reasonable outlay. 
This was followed by the transfer of luivoy Frese to Boston, where he is now 
helping at the Salvation Army's social center. The teams were shipped to Boston 
and Hartford, and the army is waiting ,1 change in rental conditions so that the 
work can be resumed here. 

In the meantime, the religious w(.irk ci.intiinies in charge of Adjutant and 
Mrs. A. J. Tilley, who have been here for three years, coming from Framingham, 
Mass. They began their Salvation Army work thirty years ago, as pioneer 
officers in Newfoundland, and went from there to Canada. For the last twenty 
years they have been with the army in nearly every large town in New England. 

The work of the Salvation Army has appealed to the best people here, and its 
list of annual donors contains the name of nearly every public-spirited citizen 
of Waterbury. H. B. Tuttle of Naugatuck, A. A. Benedict, I. H. Chase, H. H. 
Peck and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Reed Kimball are aniong those who have in the 
past decade been particularly helpful. 

Just now Adjutant and Mrs. Tilley are arranging to have the Waterbury 
branch represented in the great war work done by the Salvation .\rmy, and which 
is much along the lines of the Red Cross work. 



CHAPTER X\' 
REVIJCW OF WATERBURVS MANUFACTURES 

THE CENTER OF THE BRASS lNDl.rSTRV ITS PERCENTAGE OF OUTPUT BY DECADES 

CENSUS FIGURES SHOW STRANGE CHANGES PRODUCrlON OF NEEDLICS, PINS, 

HOOKS AND EYES NUMBER AND WAGES OF WORKERS IN WATERBURY FACTORIES 

SINCE 1899 CENSUS FIGURES ON VALUE OF WATERBURY PRODUCTS WHAT 

WATERBURY MANUFACTURES CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT — SEX OF WAGE 

EARNERS THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION LAW — FACTORY CONSTRUCTION 

SINCE 1900. 

'Jlie older readers of this volume, \vli(jse memories run hack to the W'aterbur)' 
of the 'gos, will remember some of the qualms with which many of our native 
New Englandcrs, who then constituted the bulk of the population, regarded the 
future of the city. 

It had been growing satisfactorily in business and population, having estab- 
lished itself as the brass center of the United States and having definitely out- 
grown, by the census of 1900, such former leaders or old rivals as Norwich, Meri- 
den, Danbury and New Britain. It did a thriving business in pins, machinery 
and clocks. It was the home of the Waterbury watch. 

But to many earnest observers of the times, all this seemed to be against 
nature. New England as a whole was working against difficulties which must 
cause her manufactures to decay as her agriculture had in the preceding gen- 
eration. Cotton mills were developing in the South, shoe factories in the 
Middle West, machine shops in Pennsylvania, brass foundries in Illinois and 
Michigan. New England was doomed. The argument against Waterbury w'as 
stronger than against New England as a whole. All of our raw materials 
came from long distances. Coal had to be hauled from Pennsylvania and no cop- 
per was mined within a thousand miles. With the upbuilding of the industries 
of the Middle West, and consequent shifting westward of the center of demand, 
was it reasonable that we could continue to haul copper and spelter past the 
factories of so many of our customers, and ship it back to them as brass bearing 
the charge of a double freight rale? Waterbury had no natural advantages, — • 
absolutely none. With the industrial awakening of the enterprising West, she 
must cease to grow and her business must languish I In 189S the opening of 
Center .Street was 0])j)0sed at a public hearing on the ground that \\'aterbury had 
ceased to grow and would never need another business street. 

There was another cause for uneasiness in the "trust" movement which 
marked the closing years of that decade. Our industries might be gathered into 
the grasp of giant corporations whose controlling spirits, destitute alike of local 
affiliations and decency of sentiment, would cold-bloodedly close down many 
factories on the ground that Waterbury was not a logical site for an industry. 
When the International Silver Company acquired the local silver plate factories 
and jjromptly vacated the newly-built Rogers & Hamilton factory, the glooniiest 

180 



WATERHURY AXD THE XAi:( lATUCK \ALLEV 181 

l>ro])hccies seemed ecnilirmecl. To the minds of the propliets uf evil it was a 
sign and a warning. 

One of the capahle manufacturers of \\'aterhin-\ , who has been a wizard in 
making two crucible finiiaces blossom where one liad previously shone, was asked 
a few years ago whether the ii^io census, then being taken, woidd indicate that 
Waterbury was in danger of losing her position as the seat of the American 
brass trade, lie said frankly that he did not know. He knew the percentage of 
growth of his , own enterprises but not the proportion of the brass business 
that was done in Waterlniry. I'.nt he answered in terms of brick and mortar. 
He pointed out that the continuous enlargements of the Naugatuck Valley brass 
foundries was tiie best answer to any misgivings as to the future of the brass trade 
hereabouts. 

"The brass industry in Connecticut," says Lathrop in his valuable monograph, 
"The Brass Industry," published in igoq, "afifords a notable example of concen- 
tration. In 1880, /')',<; in 1890, 70 '/o ; in 1900, /I'i. ; and in 1905, yy;v of the 
rolling of brass and copper and the manufacture of the same was returned by 
the census as centered in the State of Connecticut. This concentration has been 
accomplished, notwithstanding the entire aljsence of raw^ materials within the 
state, and without any near absorbing market, except as such has appiared in the 
course of the development of the industry itself. The gross ]ir(iduct of the brass 
mills is now more than seventy million dollars a year. There was, in iqoj, no 
e.xamjjle of specialization involving so large a jiroduct which was as notable. 
* * * Connecticut is retaining her hold upon the brass industry in increasing 
rather than in diminishing proportion." 

The early census schedules were not consistently cl.issified ;uid some confusion 
exists as to former conditions, but it is clear that textile manufacturers were for a 
longtime more important in this state than the brass industry. In 1900, however, 
the product of all the textile mills combined fell Ijelow that of 1880, while in 
1S90 brass manufacture became the leading industry in the st:ile, and with its 
allied lines of manufacture had a gross product 23',(' larger th.an that of all the 
textiles. In 1905 the rolling mills alone had a product equ.d to that of the 
textile industry, while the addition of allied br.inches [iroduce<l a product more 
than twice that of the textiles, 

"From the first," says Lathrop, "\\'aterlnu-y has been the recognized center 
in the country of the brass industry, and within the city itself tliis has of 
course been the leading industry." Although the census apparently confuses 
manufactured and unmanufactured brass or treats them dififerently at successive 
census periods, the returns showed in 1890 that Waterbury was making 31% of 
the brassware of the United States and 40% of the brassw^are of Connecticut. 
In 1900, 489; of the brassware of the country and 88% of the brassware of the 
state came from Waterbury. Account must be taken here, however, of a failure 
to distinguish a change which had taken place. Formerly practically all of the 
brass mills in the state both rolled brass and manufactured brassware. This con- 
dition prevailed in 1890 but a change was taking place. The foundry and rolling 
mills were a logical unit, the brassware mill another, and plants tended to 
specialize. Some important exceptions existed, however, of which the Scovill 
Manufacturing Company is an instance of a great concern wdu'ch casts, rolls and 
remanufactures its brass. While tlie separation spoken of was taking place the 
l>roduct of some plants might be classed either as "brass and copper, rolled" or 
"brassware" according as to wdiich constituted at the time the greater volume of 
Inisiness. 



182 WATERBURY AND THE XAUGATUCK \\VLT.EY 

These conditions resulted in some surijrising vagaries in the census figures. 
I'or instance : 

Brass and Copper. Kolled (Entire Country). 
1879 1889 1899 

Wage-earners 5,082 2,698 ^.459 

X'akte of Products $14,329,871 $8,381,472 $44,309,829 

Brass Castings (Entire Country). 
1879 1889 iS,;g 

Wage-earners 6,237 10,943 9.154 

Vahie of Products $10,808,742 $24,344,434 $23,891,348 

Brassware. 

1879 1889 1899 

Wage-earners 1,142 7.157 ^>77^ 

\ahic of Pro(h)cts $1,523,098 $13,615,172 $16,803,764 

To accept these figures must be to suppose that from 1879 to 1889 brass 
casting operations more than doubled but brass rolling fell off nearly one-half, 
while the manufacture of brassware, largely out of sheet brass, increased nearly 
i)00 per cent. The 1910 census volume on manufactures admits this inconsistency 
in the figures on brass rolling and ascribes it to "changes in the classification of 
reports of some establishment." From 1899 to 1909, it points out, there was 
greater uniformity in the method of classifying. 

Obviously, estimates of the relative percentages of brass rolling, brass casting, 
etc., done by Waterbury, Naugatuck Valley, or Connecticut concerns cannot be 
accurately made from the censtis figures for these earlier periods and compari- 
sons extending back forty years are untrustworthy. 

There has been a change in the classification, however, since 1899, bronze 
products and reclaimed brass being included in the 1904, 1909 and 1914 brass 
classification. This now includes the following subdivisions of the heading 
"Brass and Bronze Products :" 

Brass : Ingot brass and shapes for remanufacture. 
Brass and Copper, Rolled: Sheets, bars, rods, etc. 

Brass Castings and Finishings : Brass foundry work and finishing as dis- 
tinguished from lighter brassware; car and engine brasses; refining brass; oiling 
devices; safety steam appliances; brass spigots; hose couplings. 

Firassware : Ornaments for furniture, stair plates and stair rods, fenders, 
screens, plates, novelties, metal spinning, brass tubing. 

Bronze Products: It will be seen that the above list contains many articles 
that arc not in Waterbury's line at all while on the other hand, "Foundry and 
.Machine .Shop Products" (primarily iron and steel wares) contains the following 
subdivision in which some characteristic Waterbury and Naugatuck \'alley prod- 
ucts will be recognized: 

Hardware : I.ocks. brass drajjing chains, metal curtain rods, fancy uphol- 
stery nails, trunk trimmings: cabinet, car, carriage, casket, furniture, piano and 
organ hardware. 

However, there is no doubt that we are living in a brass state, valley and 
city. The leadership is plainly set forth by the census bureau which sets forth 
that in 1909 Connecticut made 44.6 per cent of the brass and bronze products 



1909 


1904 


1899 


$149,989,058 


.$102,407,104 


$88,054,000 


66,932,969 


53,916,445 


49,059,000 


44-6 


52.7 


55-3 


31 ,001,875 


19.986,964 


20,238,000 


21-3 


195 


22.8 


10.409.613 


10,297,911 




II.O 


15-9 




4.445.658 


5,382,761 


4.147,452 


3-0 


5-2 





\\'ATERBURV AND THE XAUGATL'CK WALLEV 183 

of the United States, the two states next in order being New York with 14.8 per 
cent and Micliigan with 9.3 per cent. As to the increase or decrease between 
censuses, the only figures exactly comparable are for 1904, 1909 and 1914, the 
1899 figures being taken on a slightly difterent basis, and figures for previous 
census years being subject to vagaries. The comparison for these four manu- 
facturing censuses is as follows : 

BRASS AND BRONZL I'KUDUCTS 
I9I4 

United States $162,199,019 

cronnecticut 69,353,103 

Per Cent of U. S 42.1 

Waterbury 32,624.187 

Per Cent of U. S 20.1 

Ansonia 

Per Cent of U. S... 10.7 

llridgeport 

Per Cent of U. S.. . 

The home of the brass industry is thus shown to be holding its own. The 
addition to the brass classification of articles in which we do not compete and the 
inclusion in other schedules of some of our typical brass products, vitiates exact 
comparisons with earlier census reports while emphasizing the general conclusions 
to be drawn from them. 

The census bureau finds in the localization of the industry hereabouts one of 
the remarkable examples of industrial specialization worthy of emphasis in the 
special chapter devoted to the subject. There are four large industries in which 
Connecticut leads all other states : Brass and bronze, cutlery, firearms and plated 
ware. In three of the four \Vaterl)ury is interested and in one of them she is the 
leading manufacturing city. 

There is another, smaller but still significant, industry in which both Connecti- 
cut and Waterbury lead. It is the classification of "needles, pins and hooks and 
eyes." i\ll three of these articles are never made in the same plant, yet they are 
historically and technically closely associated, so perhaps the classification is not 
unnatural. Here are the figures : 

PRODUCTION OF NEEDLES, PINS. HOOKS AND EVES 

up4 

United States $4,755,589 

Connecticut ^,062,193 

64.5% 

Waterbury, of course, produces an important part, perhaps the major part, 
of these pins and hooks and eyes, while Torrington similarly attends to the pro- 
duction of the needles, but the census reports do not go into too much detail 
because the number of plants engaged is so small that to do so would tend to 
disclose individual operations. The case is similar with clocks and watches made 
in Waterbury, which are listed under "all other products" so as not to disclose the 
operations of individual plants. 



1909 


1914 


$6,694,095 


$7,890,879 


4,236,036 


5,108,550 


<'^3-3% 


64.7'i 



184 WATF.RIiURY AXU THE XAUGATUCK XAI.T.EY 

With these hues of manufacture lumped in the W'aterbury manufacturing 
figures, the foundries and machine shops appear in the schedules as the second 
industry in size for which figures are separately given. The growth in this line 
from 1904 lo lycx) has been especially significant: 

1904 1909 

Number of plants 13 23 

Persons engaged 899 2,167 

Capital engaged $1,409,000 $3,985,000 

Salaries and wages 628,000 1,563,000 

\alue of products 1,335,000 3,558,000 

Such capacity for development in a highly competitive industry indicates that 
Waterbury's machine shops and foundries are serving distinct needs both of their 
district and elsewhere and are less dependent upon easy access to cheap coal, 
iron and steel than on the command of technical knowledge and skill in handicraft 
which are native among our people. 

\\ aterbury, then, may feel secure of the future of its leading industry, which 
is localized also in the Naugatuck Valley and in Connecticut and has generations 
of stability behind it. Dr. Anderson expressed the belief that it was our poor 
soil which turned the energies of Waterbury's people to manufacturing, lirass 
having been chosen and the primacy secured, the skilled labor trained, and the 
inventive ability developed, capital accumulated in the hands of men born in 
the business, the exacting technique of the business tended to keep it centered 
here. It is shown in Lathrop's history that after the beginning of what came 
to be the I'enedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company in 1823, there was not 
a single enterprise in existence in 1900 in Connecticut or outside of it, except 
the Manhattan Brass Company of New York City, which had been organized 
indejjendently of the mills in the Naugatuck Valley. Of the five outside Con- 
necticut in J 895, one has since become a branch of the American Brass Company. 
Since that time two of comparatively recent origin have entered the trade, and 
one, the Chase Rolling Mill Company, has begun operations in Waterbury, but 
the growth of the local mills has ajiparently exceeded by far that of its outside 
competitors. The next census will probably show Waterbury's position in its 
basic industry to be more secure than ever. 

Nearly all of the other industries of the city are affiliated with brassmaking 
in either supplying its needs or using its product. The machine shops are here 
to devise and build the machinery which make the product and form it into 
articles of utility, the brassware factories (or "cutting-up shops," as the workmen 
say) taking the sheets and wire and fashioning them for consumption. In this 
class finally belong the clock, watch and pin industries, which grew out of the 
])arent brass mills. They could have originated in any locality and brass sheets 
or wire would have been shipped to them, but the brass lore was here, with the 
knowledge of handling our peculiar metal and the native ingenuity required to 
make tools and machinery and devise methods to turn out small parts and articles 
economically and rapidly. 

It must be remembered that the strategic basis of our closely interlocked 
industries is the brass casting shop and the brass rolling mill, usually operating 
together, and that successful o])eration of these call for technical knowledge and 
skill which are not widespread and in this country are generally acquired in 
this district. The brassware manufacturers tend to group near their source of 
supply, which is the rolling mill. In 1904, Connecticut was able to report that 
more than four-fifths of the brass and copper was rolled within the state and 
that more than one-half of the brassware was made within her borders. 



WATERl'.URV AXD Till-: XAUGATUCK XALLKV Lsf) 

The great extensions tliat ha\e been made b\' the brass cimipanies since ii)i4 
have brought up the question whether there will be business enough to keep 
them going after the war. Undoubtedly a period of readjustment must come, 
Init for some years after the war there must be a continued demand for replace- 
ment which has been neglected during the period of hostilities and for the 
enormous and inevitable work of reconstruction necessitated by war devastation. 
Many observers foresee five years of acti\e demand for \\'aterl)ury's goods and 
that is as far as foresight will go in most human affairs. Ijy that time, the 
expansion of the country's business and the great [lossiliilities (if ])ermanent 
export trade may lia\e enabled the ])eace demand to overtake the facihiies 
created for war purposes. It was stated by John II. ( ioss in 191'' at a conference 
between manufacturers and railroad operating officials that the .Sco\ill .Manu- 
facturing Company had not built and would not build any factorv constructidU 
that it did not expect to occupy permanently after the war. 

Some large local concerns have already made inciuirics as to new methods of 
marketing and advertising products which can be manufactured in their ])lants. 
Such a method of taking u]) a temporary slack after the w.ir would be a 
departure from local practice. The tradition has been that \\'aUrliury's energies 
are best devoted to improving productive methods, lea\-ing the marketing tu 
others. The city ])roduced goods which were largely materials for other manu- 
facturers. When the sheets or wire were re-manufactured in \\'aterliur\-, it 
was generally on order. The principal marketing successes were made ii\er 
outside trademarks. Probably the time has come to enter the>e wider fields, but 
it can be jiointed out that so far the accustomed jiolicies ha\e served the cit\- 
very well. 

The fact that W'aterbury contributes to the ccimmon stock of goods so many 
thousands of articles of such varied uses, and so many size> and shapes, but 
invariably articles of use rather than lu.xury, has stabilized the manufacturing 
business to a degree which might not have been attained if the product had been 
a comparatively few specialized lines with a varying demand. It is literally true 
and has been for years that it is almost impossible to make anything from an 
umbrella to a pair of shoes or a suit of clothes, from a small electric motor to a 
loconioti\'e or a battleship, from a trunk or handbag to a great office building 
or hotel, without creating a demand for something made of brass or copper 
and sending to Waterbury. 

Waterbury is known as the "Brass City" and it has been entitled to this 
significant name since 1858, when it had twenty-five corporations in that industry. 
In 1873 there were twenty-seven companies in the brass business, and in i8*jb 
thirty-nine were in the brass or kindred industries. The comljinations that have 
since been made have greatly reduced this number, but vastly increased plants 
and outputs. For 1900 Waterbury produced 48 per cent of the brassware of 
the country; in 1904 the figvire was 42.2 per cent; in 1909 it was 21 per cent of 
all the brass and bronze produced in the country. The census of manufactures 
for 1914 makes this figure 20.1 per cent. 

The census of manufactures for 1914 gives the total of brass, bronze and 
copper products as $162,199,019, and credits Connecticut with $69,353,103, 42.1 
per cent of the United States' total. Of this Connecticut total the Waterbury 
output is given by the census as $32,624,187, or 20.1 per cent of the United 
States' total. 

With this percentage in mind, that Waterbury's output was approximately 
one-half of the state output, the following figures can be easily reciuced to give 
fairly exact estimates for Waterbury's 1914 record: 



186 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \AT.LEY 

The number of establishments in the brass, bronze and copper industries in 
Connecticut for 1914 were 67; the average number of wage earners, 16,781; 
primary horse power, 57,033; capital, $51,886,000; wages, $9,846,000; cost of 
materials, $53,886,000; value of products, $69,353,103. 

In 191 7 the number of factory employees in the brass industry in Waterbury 
is appro.xiniately 25,000. This is a conservative figure. The wages are nearly 
$18,000,000, and the value of products for the state will be nearly, if not over, 
$140,000,000. 

Manufacturing in \\'aterbury has taken a remarkable step forward since 
1915, the beginning of the period of large munition orders from abroad. This 
trade flowed to a greater or less degree into almost every plant in the city. The 
totals for the last two years, giving value of products and number and wages of 
employees, would show, judging from the experience of individual plants, much 
more than double those of 19 14, the last Government statistics now available. 
As an illu.stration : At that date the number of employes at the Scovill Manu- 
facturing Company plant was 7,500. Today it is 13,500. Wages have increased 
on the average from twenty to thirty per cent, so that it is evident that the figures 
given here for 1914 must be much more than doubled to get at even a fair 
estimate for 1917. In the value of output, it is clear that the doubling and even 
fiuadrupling of plants, means a tremendous increase over the 1914 figures. 
While the actual tonnage has more than doubled, its value can only be estimated 
by taking into consideration also the increase in prices of raw and finished 
[iroducts. Thus on October 28, 1914, both Lake and electrolytic copper were 
quoted at 11.50; spelter at St. Louis was 4.95. On October 26, 1916, both Lake 
and electrolytic copper were quoted at 28.50, and spelter was at 9.30. Other 
materials used in the industries in Waterbury had the same phenomenal rise. 

\\'ith this clearly in mind, the census figures form a basis for 191 7 estimates. 

W.\CE E.\RNEKS IN WATERBURY ( CENSUS FIGURES) 

Number Wages 

1899 13.225 $ 6,691,000 

1904 15,406 8,016,000 

1909 20,170 11,244,000 

1914 20,189 11,503,000 

1917 (est.) 35.000 25,000,000 

V.VLUE 01' WATERBURy's PRODUCTS (CENSUS FIGURES) 

Value No. of Plants Capital 

1899 $30,330,300 124 $21,967,000 

1904 32,367.359 143 32,950,000 

1909 50,349,816 169 44,653,000 

1914 50,659,000 190 50,288.000 

The figures given in the census for 1914 on fuel used for power are interesting. 
Thus Waterbury's industries in 1914 used 76.210 gross tons of anthracite coal. 
143,848 net tons of bituminous coal, 3.157 net tons of coke. 84.943 barrels of oil. 
28,748,000 cubic feet of gas. 

A GENERAL REVIEW 

By specializing and by devoting brains and tenacity to its business, Waterbury 
has developed the manufacture and multiplied the uses of brass, copper and 



WATI'Rl'.l'KV AND Till-: XArCATLCK \ Al.lJiV 187 

(jernian silver until tlK-y have created markets that are world-wide. The) imw 
practically control these trades in the L'nited States. 

Waterbury is credited with haviiii,'- a larger numher of skilled artisans than 
any other cit\- of equal size in the world. The products of Waterbury can be 
found in CN-er)- quarter of the civilized world. The Ingersoll watch at the 
Waterljury Clock Company's imtnense factory. long ago reached the guaranteed 
output of more than 12,000 daily. The W'aterbury-lngersolj, made at the Jngersoll 
plant in Waterbury, has reached nearly 2,000 daily. 

No cit\- in the world has such a reputatidu fur buttons ui ,ill kinds. The 
button industry dates back to 1 JIjO, at least, when lose]jh 1 lopkins made them 
of sterling sihcr, and to last forever. The pniducts of \\'alerl.)ur\- Inittim fac- 
tories today reach every country on the face oi the earth. 

Waterbury has made lamps and lamp trimmings for nearly fifty years, and 
for over thirty years this industry has been a great factor in the growth of the 
city. Every factory in the city, accustomed to lead in the small brass goods, makes 
some sort of lamp trimming. In addition to the regular lanq) Ijurners for house- 
hold use, there is the lantern, — the original ].)eitz and its imitations and several 
others in whole or part, and perhaps as great an industry as any of this character, 
the mantel gas burners of several varieties. Against all orlds the manufacturers 
have obtained and maintained their royal share of the burner business so sub- 
stantially begun more than fift)' years ago by such men as I., j. Atwood, John C. 
I'ooth, Israel Holmes, and others, who were aided materially in their endeavors 
by the best mechanical skill in New England. 

One of the greatest of Waterbury's industries is the making of ])ins of all 
kinds. Though the city has won signal honors in the ornamental ])in, the hat pin 
and the safety pin, she has by no means stopped in her triumphs at the ordinary 
brass and iron pin industry. Her pins are used e\ery>\here. \\ .-iterlmry makes 
nearly seventy-five per cent of the world's outjiut. 

eO.VDITlOXS OF E.MI'[.i>VMi:\'l 

The census figures show that the prevailing hours of labor in the brass and 
bronze business were 54 to 60 hours a week in 1910, the condition obtaining 
in Waterbury. The average salaries and wages paid here have been shown to 
be considerably higher than for the average manufacturing industry. Not until 
the relatively unimportant manufactures of the Mountain States and the far West 
are reached does a higher wage scale prevail. The higher wages paid in a few 
large cities to balance higher living expenses, and the competition of new indus- 
tries, like the automobile manufacture, tend to draw mechanics away from Water- 
bury, but many of them find conditions outside less to their liking and sooner or 
later return. And there is a constant gravitation of ambitious youths here to 
])articipate in the licnefits of learning machine and metal trades in one of the 
best training scIkjoIs in the world. ( )1)viousIy the inflow is greater than the 
outflow. 

The better (organization of manufacturers' eniplo}-ment oftices has been a 
development of the last few years, and particularly of the bu-S}- war period. The 
opening in i()i7 of a manufacturers' employment bureau with offices in .\[)othc- 
caries' Hall Ihiilding is a still further refinement of the old haphazard methods 
of "hiring and firing," and is expected to reduce the waste involved in the frequent 
turn-over of labor. 

The State Free Employment Bureau has been in operation si.xteen years. 
During the greater part of that jicriod, the Waterbury office has been e.xtending 



188 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

its usefulness, which extends only in part to securing employment in factories. 
In 1915 situations were secured for 1,568 people; in 1916 work was found for 
1,409. Of tiiese 910 were females, 652 males, in 1915, and in 1916, 842 were 
females and 567 were males. 

SEX Ol- WAGE Ej\RNERS 

In nianufacturinji; industries requiring physical strength and a high degree of 
skill males are the largest proportion of workers, while the proportion of women 
and children is largest in the industries requiring dexterity rather than strength. 
There is enough of the lighter forms of employment in Waterburj' factories to 
furnish suitable employment for thousands of women. For all manufacturing 
industries in the United States in 1910 the proportion of workers was as follows: 
Males of 16 years or over, 78 per cent; females 16 years or over, 19.5 per cent; 
children under 16, 2.5 per cent. 

For W'aterbury's 20,170 workers the proportions were: Males, 15,088, or 
74.8 per cent; females, 4,648, or 23 per cent; children, 434, or 2.2 per cent. The 
proportion of females was slightly larger and the proportion of children slightly 
lower than the general manufacturing average. This has been the general condi- 
tion for many years and still obtained in 1914. 

The employment of women in the munition trade in Waterbury has grown 
during the past three years until now it is estimated at as high as 35 or 40 per 
cent in some establishments. 

In 1914-15, in addition to the regular munition factories in the stale, others 
which had been working in metal products turned to the manufacture of firearms, 
ammunition and parts thereof. Ajiparently scores sprung up over night to enter 
an industry which seemed to offer the most abundant and quick returns. The 
swift and nimble fingers and adaptability of women caused them to be employed 
in great numbers. The high wages offered and the general search for labor led to 
the diversion of young women from other occupations, particularly domestic 
service. In much of the work, no special qualifications beyond skill in manipula- 
tion was required, the skilled men being placed where tools were made and the 
more delicate mechanism was constructed, the unskilled filling the benches. Hun- 
dreds of foreign born women who had never been employed in any such labor 
were soon made passably efficient through instruction. Many other industries 
lost their workers. It was difficult to obtain women to do work which a few 
months before they were clamoring to obtain. 

The State Bureau of Labor in its report for 1916 says of this development: 

"A visit to the various munition factories shows the responsible positions are 
filled by women who have been there some time, by newcomers who have superior 
intelligence, and by those who are being constantly promoted from the lower 
grades of the work. An unceasing vigilance is exercised over the choice of the 
proper sort of workers for the task upon which they are to be engaged, as the 
least mistake in this way would be productive of far-reaching disaster. In the 
less unskilled and almost perfunctory routine work there are fully fifty-seven 
varieties of foreigners, nationalities that are not found to any great extent in 
other industries being represented here: Russniak (Ruthenian), Bohemian, 
Moravian, Albanian, Finnish, Magyar, Slovak, Bulgarian, Servian, Spanish, 
Montenegrin, Croatian and Slavonian. The Lithuanians and Roumanians have 
been present in large numbers for some time." 



WATERr,L'l<\- A\U Till': .\AL'( lATUCK \ALLEV 189 

Till-; VSiiRKMEN's COMl'Ii.VSATU.IX LAW 

(Jii October i, lyi^, the compensation commissioners of tiie state assumed 
office and put into operation the new workmen's compensation law. The hoard 
now coini)rises : Frederic M. VVilHams, Fifth District ( Waterburyj, chairman; 
(ieor^e 11. Chandler, First District; James J. Donahue, Second District; George 
E. iieers, Third District; Edward T. Buckingham, h'ourth District. 

According to the law certain legal compensation is due an injured workman 
for all loss of time after ten days from date of accident, and for the loss of the 
use of certain jiarts of the body, as eye. finger, arm or leg. 

Accidents which keep an employe from work fur une day or more are reported 
to the compensation commissioner for the district. If the accident is so serious 
that the waiting period of ten days elapses, the empluyc is entitled to compensation 
under the state law, pro\ ided the injury h.as not been due to serious negligence 
or wilful misconduct. E-Xcejit in cases (jf tliis latter surt, an agreement may 
then be entered into between the company .md the emjiloye. accitrding to pro- 
visions of the law, without any formal claim lieing put in. The agreement nuist 
be tiled with the comniissiuner. In the failure nf such an agreemeiU, the matter 
is t.aken up with the commissioner sitting as a cuurt. Sym|iathy, p.itience and 
connni.in sense are requisites in settling satisfactorily the i|ue-tiniis that arise 
out of these compensation cases, and in the larger factories of Waterliury the 
force in charge of this service is selected and carefully trained. 

The following figures for the entire stale sunini.irize the worlx <>i the com- 
mission from its inception to January i, i<)i7; 

|()I4 i'"5 19"' 

Accidents reported ''^.054 .v.'-'J'^ 4' '.935 

\'oluntary agreements 3.444 7-*^4^ 9.75'> 

Cost to self insurers : 

I'"or compensation .'^ 4i),(iS5.5S $101,812.10 $ _'02.48,5.48 

h'or medical service ,V'.8'ii>.i3 ^>7-^'n-57 i77-3-'*^--4 

Cost to insurance companies for compen- 
sation and medical service 3c)(),(j84.30 005.455.(111 ij^o.G-'O.O^ 

Total for comjiensation and medical 

service ,^^483. 23(1.03 '$773-^''7-^.'^ •?! •3i9,43--35 

The number of \'oluntary agreements is growing yearly. In most cases this 
signifies that the terms of the act were amicably complied with by the parties 
without delay. Such settlements are usually etiected through an "adjuster" or 
claim agent. In the case of self-insurers this is some official of the company or 
resi)onsible employe, and in the case of insurance companies some young attorney 
or other competent jierson who has worked into the post from a clerical position. 
If the accident occurs in the jilant of a self-insurer it is jiromptly made known 
through the first aid department, and when the waiting period has elapsed an 
agreement on the form provided by the commissioners is put before the employe 
for execution. If the injured employe is working in the plant of an insured 
employer, the insurer is notified of the injury on the form provided by the 
insurer. If the injury is one promising to call for weekly conqiensation, the 
adjuster makes due investigation and, if the claim is found valid, it is settled in 
like manner. In most cases settlement is effected without delay or misunder- 
standing. Sometimes the emjiloye questions the acctiracy of the ci imputation of 
average weekly earnings and asks to have it verified. In iithir instances the 



190 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

employe delays until he can consult some friend. Not infrequently he or his 
friend consults the commissioner before signing the agreement. As soon as the 
agreement is executed, it is forwarded to the commissioner for his approval, as it 
docs not become effective until so approved and duly filed with the clerk of the 
Superior Court for the county. 

F.\CTt)UV CO .\ STRUCT ION KRO.M J.\NU.\KV, KXX), TO XOVICM HER 30, iyi6 

The following record of factory construction in W'aterbury is from the 
records compiled annually since 1900 by the State Bureau of Labor. The record 
is here classified by concerns, the names of which are given as they existed in 
the years in which the buildings were constructed. Thus much of the great 
building work done by the American Brass Company appears largely under the 
names of its branches. A few of the corporations and firms have changed names 
and personnel, but the record of construction remains as the best evidence of 
success and of ])rogress. 

INTKRN.\TIONAL SILVICR CO.M I'ANV F.\CTORY J 

Total 

1907- 8 — 2 buildings $4,250 

1909-10 — 2 buildings 2,500 $6,750 

PLUME & ATVVOOD MANUl'.XCTURING COMTANV 

11)07- 8 — 1 buikling .$16,700 

lyi I -1 2 — 2 buildings 21,000 

1913-14— 2 buildings 3.700 

1915-16 — I building 30,000 $71,400 

SHOE HARDWARE COMFAXV 

1900 — I building $25,000 

Jip7- 8 — 2 buildings 26,500 

1909-10 — I building 8,000 

1911-12 — 2 buildings 55.000 $114,500 

WATERBURY CASTINGS COMPANY 

U)0/- 8 — 3 buildings $23,000 

1915-16 — I building 3,000 $26,000 

li. H. FRY & CO. 

i(j04 — 1 building $2,ooo 

F. H. KAI.BFI.EISCH & CO. 

1904 — I building $15,000 

1905 — 1 building 2,000 

1907- 8 — I building 5,ooo 

1909-10 — 2 buildings 5.500 

1913-14— I building 7,500 

1915-16 — 1 building 9,500 $44,500 



WATERBURV AXD THE XAUGATUCK VALLEY 191 

MANUFACTURERS FOUNDRY COMPANY 

1904 — 2 buildings $19,500 

i90(j — 2 buildings 5,ooo 

X907- 8 — 4 buildings 26,000 

1909-10 — I building 7.500 

191 1-12 — 1 building 500 

1913-14 — 4 buildings 13,000 

1915-16 — I building 3.000 $74,500 

E. J. MANVILLE MACHINIC COMPANY 

1904 — 5 buildings $62,000 

1909-10 — 3 buildings 2.500 

191 3- 14 — I building 20.000 $84,500 

UOWnOTTOM MACIIJNI-: COMPANY' 

11)04 — 1 building $4,500 

1906 — 2 buildings 4,20O 

191 1-12 — I building 1,500 

1915-16 — I Iniilding 16,0a:) $26,200 

AMERICAN PIN COMPANY 

1901 — I building $25,000 

1902 — I building 27,000 

i<T03 — I building 15.000 

i<X>4 — I building 12,000 

1905 — I building 21,000 

i</)f) — 2 buildings 62,000 

1908 — I building 5,000 

1909-10 — 2 buildings I.OOO 

1913-14 — 4 liuildings 76,500 

1O15-I''' — I building 27,000 .$271,500 

r,ER]!I-:CKER & ROWI.AXn MIC. (OMI'WA' 

1901 — I building $10,000 

1905 —2 buildings 7,000 

1907- 8 — 2 buildings 8,500 

1909-10 — 2 buildings 18,000 

191 1-12 — 4 buildings 1 1,300 

K) 13-1 4 — 2 buildings 15,000 $69,800 

WATERBURY PARREL FOUNDRY & MACHINi: COMPANY 

190 1 — I building $50,000 

1902 --1 building 70.000 

1904 — I building 8.000 

up5 — 2 buildings 38. 500 



192 WATERDfRV AND THE NAUGATUCK \'AT,LEY 

1906 — 2 biiildinsjs 20,000 

1907- 8 — I Ijuilding 16,000 

1911-12 — I building 10,000 

1913-14 — I building 22,000 

1915-16 — 3 buildings 105,000 $339,500 

WATERIiURV BATTKRY COMPANY 

1904 — 1 building $5,500 

1909-10 — I building 12,500 

1913-14 — I building 2,600 $20,600 

WATERBURY BRASS COMPANY 

1903 — 3 buildings $90,000 

1904 — I building 75,ooo 

1905 — 2 buildings 16,800 

1907- 8 — 8 buildings 121,500 

1909-10 — 3 buildings 5,oco 

1911-12 — 5 buildings 77,ooo 

1913-14 — 2 buildings 4, 500 

1915-16 — 14 buildings 200,000 $589,800 

WATKRl'.URY CUTLERY COMPANY 

1903 — I building $1,000 

WATERBURY MACHINE COMPANY 

1903 — ~ buildings $7,000 

1907- 8 — 2 buildings 7,000 

1909-10 — I building 15,000 $29,000 

AMERICAN MILLS COMPANY 

1904 — 1 building $4,000 

1907- 8 — 1 building 500 

i90<:j-io — 2 Iniildings 47,500 $52,000 

WATERBURY CLOCK COMPANY 

1900 — 3 buildings $41,000 

1903 — 1 building 5,820 

1904 — 5 buildings 87,500 

1906 —-2 buildings 4,000 

1907- 8 — 1 building 35,ooo 

1913-14 — I building 55,ooo 

1915-16 — 1 building 14,000 $242,320 



WATERJJURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 193 

WATERIJURY Ml'X;. CO. 

HJOO — 2 l)uil(liii.i,rs $3,000 

1904 — I Iniikliii,^ 55,000 

1905 — I building 7,000 

1909-10 — 4 buildings 104,000 

I9i5-i(j — 7 buildings 3<)3,(X)0 $562,000 

BENEDICT & IIURNMIAM MFd. CO. 

1900 — I building $15,000 

1902 — 4 buildings 40,000 

1904 — I building 10,000 

1905 — 1 building 2,500 

1907- 8 — I building 10,000 

1911-12 — I building 70,000 

101.1-14 — I building O5.000 

1915-16 — 21 buildings 5-5,ooo $737,500 

o'NEIL & W.AKNER 

1900 — 2 buildings ■ $2,000 

TLATT EROTIIEUS & CO.MIWiNY 

1900 — I building $I,000 

1903 — I building 23,000 

1907- 8 — I building I ,(,oO $27,600 

STEELE & JOHNSON MF(1. COMPANY 

1900 — 2 Iniildings $3,000 

1907- 8 — 3 buildings 20,200 

1909-10 — I luiilding 23,000 

1911-12 — 2 buildings 16,500 $66,700 

CHASE ROLLING MILL COMPANY 

1902 — 2 buildings $42,000 

1903 — I building 3,000 

1906 — 3 buildings 3,200 

1907- 8 — 9 buildings 46,500 

1909-10 — 6 buildings 46,500 

if>i3-i4 — 2 buildings 4,500 

1915-16 — 21 buildings 750,000 $897,700 

WATERVILLE CORPORATION (ciIASE METAL WORKs) 

191 1-12—2 buildings $"3,500 

T013-14 — 8 buildings 149,000 $222,1500 

Vol. 1—13 



194 V\ ATEKliURY AXD THE XAL'GATUCK \ALLEY 

.NEW KNCLAND WATCH COMPANY 

1902 — 3 l)iiildings $8,OOo 

SCOVILI. MK(;. COMPANY 

1901 — 5 buildings $ 128,000 

1904 — 1 building 27,000 

1905 — 5 buildings 1 19,200 

1906 — I building 2,000 

1907- 8 — 6 buildings 48,000 

1909-10 — 13 buildings 103,550 

1911-12 — 1 building 2,500 

1913-14 — 7 buildings 69,000 

1915-16— 24 buildings 1,025,000 $1,544,250 

A. II. WELLS & COMPANY 

1904 — 1 building $8,000 

1907- 8—2 buildings 7.500 

1909-10 — I building 9,000 

1911-12 — 2 buildings 11,500 

1913-14 — I building 1,700 

1915-16 — 2 buildings 35,ooo $72,700 

THE ItRISTOL COMPANY 

1905 — I building $I0,000 

1907- 8 — I building 30,000 

1909-10 — I building 18,500 

1911-12 — 2 buildings 5,300 

1913-14 — I building 31,000 

191 5-16 — I building 50,000 $144,800 

HOLMES, I'.OOTII & IIAYDENS COMPANY 

1905 — I building $6,000 

MATFATUCK MFG. COMPANY 

1905 ^i building $ 500 

1907- 8 — 2 buildings 7,750 

1909-10 — 4 buildings 2,500 

1911-12 — I building 1,500 

1913-14 — I building 2,500 $14,750 

RANIX)LPH & CLOWES COMPANY 

1905 — I building $4,500 

1906 — 2 buildings 7,70O 

1907- 8 — 2 buildings 20.000 

1909-10 — I building 2,000 $34,200 



WATERBUKY A\D THE XAL'GATUCK \ALLEY 193 

J. E. SMITH & CO. 

1905 — 1 building $20,000 

WATERDUKV BUTTON COMPANY 

1905 — 2 buildings $15,500 

190O — I building ,^.000 

1909-10 — I building 18,000 

1915-iG — 1 building Oo,ooo $9'J,500 

WATERBL'UV (.UrclIlLE COMPANY 

1905 — I building $0,Ooo 

WATEKP.l'K^' I'APER l:(i\ MIC. lOMP.WY 

1905 — 1 building $j8,ooo 

1913-14 — I building 10,500 $38,500 

HEMINWAY & BARLETT SILK COMPANY 
M. HEMINWAY & SONS SILK COMPANY 

1905 — 2 buildings $7,000 

1911-12 — 2 buildings 8,500 

1913-14 — 4 buildings 74,ooo 

1915-16 — I building 5.000 $1)4,500 

THE OAKVILLE COMPANY 

1905 — 2 buildings $20,200 

1907- 8 — 2 buildings 40,000 

1909-10 — I building 50,000 

191 1-12 — 2 buildings 4.500 $1 14,700 

AMERICAN RING COMPANY 

1906 — I building $17,500 

ii'jo9-io — 1 building 750 $18,250 

FRENCH MFG. COMPANY' 

K)o6 — 2 buildings $5,ooo 

1907- 8 — I building 800 

1909-10 — I building 6,000 

1911-12 — 2 buildings 8,500 

1913-14 — 2 buildings 31,000 $51,300 

THOMAS F. JACKSON 

1906 — I building $15,000 



196 WATERBL'RY AND THE NAUGATUCK \'ALLEY 

ROGERS & liROS. 

1906 — 1 building- $4,000 

SMITH & GRIGGS COMPANY 

1906 — 2 buildings $I0,000 

WATKRIiURV MAClUNii COMPANY 

1907- 8 — 2 buildings $7,000 

1909-10 — I building 15,000 $22,000 

WATERIIUUV ROLLING MILLS COMPANY 

1907- 8 — 4 buildings $20,000 

1909-10 — 3 buildings 22,500 

1915-16 — 2 buildings 20,000 $62,500 

BAIRD MACHINE COMPANY 

1907- 8 — I !)uilding $4,500 

AMERICAN FASTENER COMPANY 

1915-16 — I building $8,500 

E.\STERN BRASS & INGOT COMPANY 

1915-16 — I building $60,000 

PILLING P.RASS COMPANY 

1913-14 — I building $7,000 

1915-16— I building 7,957 $14,957 

WATERIiURY BRASS GOODS CORPORATION 

i(KX)-io — 3 buildings $5. 500 

1911-12 — 2 buildings 12,500 $18,000 

GEORGE HARTLEY 

1915-16 — I building $2,O0o 

NOERA MFG. COMPANY 

1911-12 — I building $2,500 

1915-16 — I building 4,000 $6,500 



WATERIJUUY AND THE NAUL.ATUCK X'ALLEY 197 

STANDARD i;\( ;l N liEKIN c , COMTAXV 

1915-10 — 1 building- -p/'SO*-* 

WATHUr.UKV |■.I^\^S & r,K(iXZI£ COMPAXV 

igi5-i(j_i Ijuilding $10,000 

\VATERIU_:UV TOOL (t)MrAXV 

1915-1^1 — I huilding $3'i,ooo 

METAL SVKCIAKT^' Ml-C,. COMl'ANV 

i9i5-iC>— I building $23,000 

NATIONAL COMl'ANV 

1(>I3-14 — 1 building $8,500 

i9]5-i(>— -' buildings 30,000 $38,500 

ANDREW C. CAMPBELL. INC. 

1913-14— 1 building $16,000 

i()i5-i6— I building » 8,000 $.'4,ooT 

BLAKE & JOHNSON COMl'ANV 

1909-10— 2 buildings $1 50,000 

1913-14 — I building 4-500 

1915-16— I building 5-000 $i5i;.50o 

AMERICAN I;RASS COMPANV 

1913-14— 5 l)uildings $i5.S.ooo 

GENERAL MFG. COMPANV 

191 1-12 — I building $ 750 

1913-14— I building 8,000 $8,750 

WATERBURV BUCKLE CC)MP-\NV 

1913-14— I Iniilding .$28,000 

WEBSTER & BRIGG^L^N 

191 3-14— I building $5,000 



198 WATERBURY AXD THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

JAMES F. GAFFXEY 

1909-10 — I building $8,000 

MATTIIKWS & WILLARU MFG. COMPANY 

1909-10 — I liuilding $500 

GEORGE PAN N ETON 

1909-10 — I Ijuilding $10,000 

G. G. RIGGS 

1909-10 — 1 building $13,500 

WATERBURY I.IMP.KK & COAL COMPANY 

1909 —I building $15,000 

ROBERT WILMOT 

191 1-I2 — I building $'>500 

WATERBl'RY FOUNDRY COMPANY 

191 1-12 — 1 building $700 

WATERBURY WELDING COMPANY 

1911-12 — 1 building $<Soo 



CHAPTER X\'I 

THE lar(,1';k urass cuAirAxiEs 

THE CHARTER OF 1893 NEW CUXSlJl.lUATION PERFECTED ITS FIRST BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS — CHANGES TO AN OPERATING COMPANY — PURCHASES THE BUFFALO 
PLANT — ITS BUILDINGS IN WATERIiURV, TORRINGTON, ANSONIA, KENOSHA AND 
BUFFALO — NEW CONSTRUCTION — EARNINGS OF THE COMPANY — ITS BALANCE 
SHEET FOR I916 THE EMPLOYMENT BUKI':aii — ITS HOUSING PLANS — TESTI- 
MONIAL TO ITS PRESIDENT, CHARLES V . BROOKER SKETCH OF HIS CAREER THE 

SCOXILL COMPANY ITS PinSKAL GROWL 11 ITS NICW I'.rlLDIXGS ENORMOUS 

EARNINGS OFFICERS OF THE PAST QUARTER CENTURY ICM l'LO\'MENT BUREAU 

— ITS HOSPITALS. 

After 1870 the organization nf cxistini:; cor|i(iratiiiii^ in ihc l)rass induslry into 
one or possibly two combinations was a source of constant and most careful con- 
sideration. Pools to regulate and a])portion product inn were formed from time 
to time but liroke up regularly. So in i8<h ''nid in i8()2 the heads of several of 
the largest concerns doing business in the Xaugatuck X'allc)- met and discussed 
values, economies, and llnally agreed upon a tentatixe plan of combining interests. 

On June 7, 1893. "^ special charter was obtained for a combination of the Coe 
Brass Manufacturing Company, of Torrington, the .'-^covill Manufacturing Com- 
pany, the Penedict & Purnham Manufacturing Lompanv. the Waterbury Brass 
Company, Holmes, Pootli & Haydens and the I'lume liv: .\twood Manufacturing 
Company. This included, therefiire, all of the \\'aterbur\- rolling mills except 
Randolph & Clowes, and excluded in Ansonia the Ansonia Urass ^; Copper Com- 
pany. The steps in this projwsed consolidation were by no means harmonious 
and the Scovill Manufacturing Co. elected to preserve its identity. 

It was not until December 14, 1899, that the American Prass Company was 
formed by the Coe Brass Company, the Waterbury Prass Company, and the An- 
sonia Prass & Copper Company. This had been preceded in i8o'> by the transfer 
of the Wallace plant in Ansonia to the Coe Prass Company. It will lie seen that 
the earlier tentative combination had been given up. the differences in views and 
to some extent in physical interests, being practically irreconcilable. 

Its first officers were: Charles F. Prooker, president; A. A. Cowles. first vice 
president; James S. Elton, second vice president; John I'. Elton, secretary and 
treasurer. Its capital was $10,000,000. 

The first board of directr)rs was as follows: Charles ]•". P.rooker, Ansonia; 
Alfred A. Cowles, New ^'ork ; James .S. Elton, W'aterbury ; D. Willis lames. New 
York ; Chandler N. Wayland, New \'ork ; Elisha Turner, Torrington ; William 
E. Dodge, New York ; James A. Doughty, Torrington; John P. Ellon, W'aterbury. 

In 1901 the stockholders of the Holmes Pooth & Haydens Companv changed 
their holdings at 25 per cent premium for stock of the American Prass Company, 
the American Prass Company thus liecoming the owner of the Holmes i tooth & 
Haydens Company. 

199 



200 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

On November i, 1905, the entire property of the Holmes Booth & Haydens 
Company of whatever nature was sold to the Benedict & Burnham Mfg. Company 
for 10,000 shares, par value $25 each of Benedict & Burnham Mfg. Company 
stock at a ratio of five to one, or $1,250,000. The Holmes Booth & Haydens office 
was then given up. 

In 1904 the officers of the Holmes Booth & Haydens Company were: T. B. 
Kent, president and treasurer; E. L. Frisbie, Jr., vice president; A. M. Dickinson, 
assistant treasurer; G. H.-Benham, secretary. 

'i'he officers of the Benedict & Burnham -Mfg. Company at the time of the 
consolidation were: President and treasurer, Edward L. Frisbie, Jr.; assistant 
treasurer, G. W. Burnham; secretary, A. AL Dickinson. 

Tlie officers of the Waterbury lirass Co. at the time of the consolidation were : 
President, James S. Elton; vice president, Charles F. Brooker; treasurer, John 
P. Elton ; secretary, G. C. Hill. 

In 1909 Wm. G. Lathrop in his valuable book, '"The Brass Industry," said of 
the new company : "The American Brass Company is today the largest and most 
important brass making and handling company in the world. It makes more than 
two-thirds of all the brass used in the L'nited States, besides which it handles 
much copper and various alloys, such as German silver and many mixtures, the 
composition of which is regarded as a trade secret. It uses approximately one- 
third of all the copper consumed in the United States, and is the largest single 
user of copiKT in the world. About one-half of its output proceeds from Ansonia, 
one-third from Waterbury, and the remainder from Torrington. With the excep- 
tion of a few specialties which it controls by patent or otherwise, it has abandoned 
manufacturing. The tendency is towards specialization of output, each plant 
being used more largely for such product as it can most advantageously produce." 

On January i, 1912, the American Brass Company became an operating com- 
pany, instead of a holding company. Its subsidiaries of the period, the Ansonia 
I'.rass & Cojjper Company, the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Co., and the 
Waterbury I'.rass Company, became branches known by the name of the old cor- 
poration. I£ach branch from this time on had its own accounts, but checks were 
drawn to and by the American Brass Company. Besides the corporations that 
were thus extinguished, the American Brass Company controlled the Chicago 
Brass Company, of Kenosha, Wis., the Waterbury Brass Goods Corporation, and 
the Ansonia Land & Water Power Company. Under the new order of things, 
these became the property of the American Brass Company through stock 
ownership. 

The new company was now the strongest single factor in the brass industry in 
.\nicrica and further strengthened itself by the purchase of the Chicago Brass 
Company. 

This left the following big firms in this vicinity outside the combination: 
The Cliase Rolling Mill (then being organized), the Scovill Manufacturing Com- 
pany, the Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company, the Randol])h & Clowes 
Company, the Bridgeport Brass Company, the Bristol Company and the Seymour 
Manufacturing Company. 

The company had first been capitalized at $10,000,000, but this was twice 
increased before January i, 1912, Ijy $2,500,000, so that the capitalization at that 
time was $15,000,000. 

Under the new arrangement the officers remained as follows: President, 
Charles F. Brooker; vice presidents, Edward L. Frisbie, Jr., A. A. Cowles, James 
S. Elton ; treasurerj John P. Elton ; secretary, Gordon W. Burnham. The other 
directors were: Thomas B. Kent, J. E. Wayland, E. Holbrook, Arthur C. James, 



WATERP.URV AXL) rill': XAl/i lATUCK \'AI.I.1'.\- 201 

John J. Sinclair, Cleveland II. Dod.i^a-. janK-s A. r)riu,<,dity, Adrlbcii 1'. llinc, T. 
Ijrownell Burnhani. 

In yiine, lyi/, annniincenunt was luadr li\' W illiani A. .M(irL;an. prcsidcnl and 
general manager of the llulTalo Copper ami I'.rass Rolling .Mills, (jf r.nlTaln, N. Y., 
of the sale of the company's properties to the American I'.rass C'onipanw At a 
meeting held July 6, 1917, this sale was officially ratified. The price paid was 
several millions. The plant is one of the largest in the counlry, eni|iloying over 
live thousand men. 

In KM-' the general e(|uipineiils of ihc company, which lia\i- heeu so \astly 
e.xtended in the piast three years, were alioul as follows: 

in Ansonia : Casting shop, rolling null, cupper rulling mill, rod mill, li.ir and 
holt mill, copper mill, wire rod mill, rchning mill, coarse wire mill, calile screw 
huilding, wire-covering mill. 

The ISenedict & Ijurnliam ])laiit had :i casting sIkhi, tuhe-c.a-liiig shop, sheet 
metal mill, brass wire mill, brass iimI mill, seamless tulie mill, br.azed tube mill, 
rule mill, blanking mill, copper wire mill, copper rod mill, iiwnhited wire mill, 
fastener building. 

.At the Chicago Brass Comjirim- in Keiio-^lia it h.id a casting slio]i, sheel metal 
mill, seamless tube mill, brazed lube mill, ])ress room. 

At the Coe Brass Mfg. (/omp.any, Torringtcjii, it h.id :i casting shop, sheet metal 
mill, brass wire mill, brass rod mill, seamless tube mill, brazeil tithe mill, ]ircss 
room. 

At the Coe jilant in Ansom.i it had a casting plant, sluet niet.d mill, dijuvn 
copper mill, East rod mill, West rod mill, co.irse wire mill, line win' mill, rivet 
and bur extension plant, Rockwell furnace plant. dianion<l die building and 
machine shop. 

.At the Waterbury I'.rass ( ■onipany plant there were a ca--ting shop, sheet brass 
mill, brass wire mill, brass rod mill, manufacturing department .and two additional 
stnictures. 

In all there were seventy mills. 

.At Torrington among the new structures built since 11)14 are a roil mill, nietal 
storage building and a power plant. 

At the \\'aterbur\- I'.rass r.ranch a m.ichine shop, in addition to the wire mill, 
a power plant, an addition to the casting sho]>, ;in addition to tlie rolling mill and 
a metal storage Iniilding ha\e been put u]> since 1914. 

.\t the Benedict is; Kuniham branch construction since 11)14 ^^-'^ -i^ follows: 
.Seamless tube mill, manufacturing p.acking and shipping Ijuilding, carjic titer shop, 
an addition to the rolling mill. 

In addition a general office buihiing and a general machine shop have been 
built in Waterbury. 

At Ansonia, the construction since 11)14 w-i* '"^^ follows: .A forging shcjp, an 
addition to the extrusion department, an addition to the wire mill, a shipping and 
manufacturing building, a casting shop. The old rolling mill was rebuilt and an 
addition to the metal storage building, and pow-er plant, were put up at Ansonia. 

In Kenosha, Wis., the company built an office btiilding, a casting shop, a luetal 
storage building, a lumber storage building, an addition to the power plant and 
addition to nearly all the other mills. 

Soiue conception may be obtained of the amount invested in new buildings 
and plants in recent years from the figures of the annual re]X)rts. In hmo and 
lOii, the company deducted $500,000 for depreciation for each of these years. 
In iQio the value of the real estate, machinery, buildings, and actual physical 
holdings, outside of merchandise, amounted to $9,203,298. In 19T i, with the large 
de])reciation against it, this value was placed at $9,057,723. 



202 WATERBURY AXD THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY' 

In 1912, with the usual charge for depreciation, the physical properties were 
valued at $11,322,162. The figures given in the annual report supplement this 
figure with the following: "Expended for permanent inii)rovenients, $760,926; 
less charged off for depreciation, total $11,533,088." 

In 1914 the real estate, machinery, etc., had grown in value to $12,858,197. 

In 1915 this was placed at $13,545,669, and in 1916 at $13,640,869. Allowing 
for the heavy depreciation it will be noted that extensions and betterments each 
year for the past five years have gone well over a million annually. 

In 191 7 the Buffalo plant was added, and this will, of course, appear in added 
valuation in the next annual report. 

In the matter of earnings, the annual reports as printed in the Financial and 
Commercial Chronicle are enlightening on the progressiveness of the men back 
of this great industry. 

In 1910 the earnings were $1,887,006; in 1911 these were $1,445,543; in 1912, 
they were $2,274,338; in 1913, they were $1,917,605; in 1914, $1,450,347; in 
1915, $6,128,453 ; in T916, $10,991,670. The dividends paid were in 1910, $1,069,- 
860, 7 per cent; in 191 1, $932,000, 6 per cent; in 1912, $1,050,000, 7 per cent; 
in 7913, $1,050,000, 7 per cent; in 1914, $900,000, 6 per cent; in 1915, $1,950,000, 
13 per cent; and in 1916, $3,750,000, 25 per cent. On Jan. 25, 1917, the American 
Brass Company declared an extra dividend of 11 per cent and the usual quarterly 
payment of ij4 per cent on its stock. Similar dividends were declared quarterly 
until October, when the total dividend was reduced to 6 per cent quarterly to 
conserve the company's cash in view of the heavy war ta.xes impending. 

The balance sheet for 1914, 1915 and 1916 follows: 

ASSETS 

1914 1915 1916 

Real E.statc, Machinery, etc $12,858,197 $13,545,069 $13,640,867 

Cash 2,017,501 2,662,776 6,213,914 

Bills and Accts. Rec 3.336,518 6,126,557 9,423,610 

Woodlands 138,811 157.711 184,638 

Stocks and Bonds Owned 1,644,250 1,311,116 1,343,021 

Patents 1,000 1,000 1,000 

Merchandise 6,624,905 7,987,052 10,1 18,515 



$26,621,182 $31,791,281 $40,925,568 

LI.MilLITIES 

I9I4 I9I5 1916 

Capital Stock $15,000,000 $15,000,000 $15,000,000 

Current .Accounts Payable 2,021,631 2,013,276 1,905,893 

Reserved for Contingencies 1,000,000 2,000,000 4,000,000 

Surplus 7,149,204 6,649,551 9,028,005 

Net Earnings for Year 1,450,347 6,128,454 10,991,670 

$26,621,182 $31,791,281 $40,925,568 

The Iron Age. in commenting on the report for 1915, said: "The net divisible 

profits for 1915 represent an increase of 322 per cent over 1914. The best pre- 
vious year was 1912, when the profits amounted to $2,274,738." 



WATERCUKV AND THE NAL'GATUCK \"ALLEV 203 

'riu- American I'.rass C niiipany has not confnud its work to mere money mak- 
ing-. Its "housing" work is fully co\ered in the chapter on that subject. 

( )n June 20, 1914. Aliss Nina Keir, a "welfare secretary," was added to the statt 
of the .\merican IJrass Company. This official was placed in charge of the com- 
pany's emergency or first aid hospital located at -i\ I'.ank Street, the former 
Holmes, Booth & Ilaydens plant. At this hospital there are four nurses and 
attendants. Aliss Keir also has charge of similar hospitals at the company's 
Torrington and Ansonia jjlants. 

The hospitals are solely for emergency work .and are not in any way designed 
to lake the place of physicians. 

.\t these hospitals one of the most im])ortanl diuies is the care of cases of 
"spelter shake" or "brass founder's ague." This i> caused liy the inhalation of 
metal fumes, and as ;i rule attacks a newcomer in the mills after the tirst few days 
of work. It has all the s\niptc)m> of ague and cranii)s. It is never fatal, and is 
temporarily cured by the use of |,imaica ginger. The ett'ort of the comi)any, how- 
ever, is now entireh devntrd to pre\ention of the disease by im])ro\ enieuts in 
metal working methiid>. In i<)i3 the (.'onnecticut Legislature ]iassed an act cum- 
pelling physicians to report immediately attacks of all kind.-' of occup.ilinn.il dis- 
eases, including this. 

In Deceiuber. nji.v the new oltice bnildin,<; nf tlu- .Xnierican I'.ras^ C nmpany, 
op])osite the L'nicjii .'^tatinn, was opened. flu- main entrance has a haiuUome set 
of brass and glass dours, the brass being an exemplary work of the artistic side of 
br:'.ss manufacture. .\ marble stairway leads to the long entresol (jr lol)l)y, which 
extends nearly the full length of the building. 'I'he executive otfices ;uid private 
offices of the companv nfhcials are on the first llndr. The gener.il dt'tices and tele- 
]>hoiie exchange are on the second floor. The exeh.ange connect> l.ocu telephones 
in the \arious jjlants of the company throughout the state, and is one of the 
largest private exchanges in Connecticut. 

There are five drafting rooms, a library, and eighteen office rooms for 
employes on the third Hoor. The liasement cnntains a garage, a large storage 
room, and an excellent heating j]lant. 

At the annual meeting of the American Itrass Company Feb. d, 11)17, the resig- 
nation of George E. Cole, as assistant treasurer and auditor w.is reluctantly 
accepted. He had been with the Coe Company at Turrington and with the Ameri- 
can Brass Company for twenty-five years. 

i\t this meeting in I'ebruary, 1917, the following vice presidents were placed 
in charge of the various companies : F. L. I'.ramer, Coe Brass branch, Torrington ; 
H. M. Steele, \\'aterbury Brass branch ; A. AI. Dickinson, Benedict & Burnham 
branch ; Wm. A. Cowles. Ansonia branches ; Arthur S. Brown, Ansonia branches ; 
George \\. Allen, Kenosha (Wis.) branch; F. M. Wills, Buffalo branch. 

The officers of the company are as follows: President, Charles F. Brooker; 
vice presidents, Edward L. Frisbie, John P. Elton. Thomas B. Kent and John A. 
Coe, [r. ; treasurer, Tohn P. Elton ; assistant treasurer, C. V . Hollister ; secretary. 
Gordon W. Burnham ; assistant secretary. Franklin E. Weaver. 

The present directors of the American B)rass Company are: Charles F. 
Brooker. Ansonia; luiward L. Frisliie. James S. Elton, John P. Elton. John A. 
Coe. Jr.. all of Waterlmry; Arthur L'. James, Gordon W. Burnham, Edward 
Holbrook, Clevehind 11. Dodge. Thomas B. Kent, John E. W:iyland, all of New 
A'ork ; James A. Doughtv, of Torrington; T. Brownell Burnham of Sussex, 
England. 

In its dealings with its 15.000 employes, the American Brass Cimipany has 
Ijeen exceptionally fortunate. During these crucial years it has had Init one 



204 WATERr.URY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

serious interference with business. This was on Feb. 17, 1916, when the Ansonia 
employes struck. On Feb. 20 the strike was settled at a slight increase over the 
original offer of the company. It increased wages 15 per cent, allowed time and 
a half for overtime, and a half holiday Saturday with full pay. 

On Sept. 10, 1915, there was also a voluntary increase by the company of 10 
]>er cent in wages. 

In Ai>ril, 1914, the Copper Producers' Association of America celebrated by 
a banquet at Sherry's in New York the liftieth anniversary of Charles F. 
I>rookcr's connection with the brass business of this country. The leading men 
in the industry were present at this testimonial and the tributes that were paid 
this ])ionecr of the brass industry were many and deserved. 

Charles Frederick Brooker, the president of the American Brass Company, 
was boni March 4, 1847, '" Litchfield, Conn. His family has its American origin 
in (juilford, where John Brooker, an Englishman, located in 1695. Two gen- 
erations later Abraham Brooker, Jr., his father, removed to VVolcottville, now 
Torrington. 

At the age of seventeen he became bookkeeper for the Coe Brass Company, 
of Torrington, becoming secretary in 1870. On the death of Lyman W. Coe, his 
uncle, in 1893, Mr. Brooker succeeded him as president of tlie Coe Brass Company 
of Torrington. 

When the American Brass Company was formed, he was elected its first presi- 
dent. Both in Torrington and Ansonia he held many important positions on the 
directorates of many banking, water, and manufacturing companies. He was for 
years a director of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Company. In New 
York City he is a member of the Union League Club, the New England Society 
of New York, the New York Chamber of Commerce, the New York Yacht Club, 
the Engineer's Club, the Lawyers' Club and the Transportation Club. 

He was a member of the Connecticut Assembly in 1875 and of the State 
Senate in 1893. He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee 
for years, also a member of the National Re])ublican Committee. 

Mr. Brooker, since his marriage to Mrs. Julia E. Clark Farrcll in London 
some years ago, has made his residence in Ansonia. 

In 191 1 the Government proceeded against the individual directors, who had 
formed what was termed the copper wire pool. This had been dissolved several 
years before, in fact as soon as it was found that it was in contravention of the 
Sherman anti-trust law. 

Pleas of nolo contendere were entered and a line of $1,100 was assessed 
against each of the offending directors Aug. 4, 191 i. 

THE SCOVII.t- M.\XIF.\CTURING COMP.\NV 

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of \Vaterbury is today the largest single 
brass-making and brass-fabricating plant in the United States, and if not the 
largest in the world at least well at the top in that class. It employed in Decem- 
ber, 1917, between 13.000 and 14,000 hands. Its employment record speaks elo- 
quently of its remarkable growth : 

Years Number of Employes 

1850 190 

i860 193 

- ■ 1870 538 

1880 399 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATLX'K \'ALLEV 205 

Years Xuniliei" of iMiiployes 

lSijo 1,200 

iy(X) J.OCO 

I'jio 4,000 

1914 7-500 

1917 '3.500 

As a corporatiun it began l>usiiicss in 1850 with a [ilant which iiad 80 horse- 
power. Tliis in 1S93 had grown to 1.400 horsepower, and in njoj to 2,2^0. 
'J'odav one new power house, that constructed in 1916, the lirst of several prij- 
posed units, has a capacity of 8,000 kilowatts. Its water, steam and electric power 
is so enormous today that it literally drives miles of machinery. 

In i(j02 when it celebrated the lOOth anniversary of its existence as a going 
business — it was not incorporated as the .Scovill Manufacturing Company until 
i8so — its plant, then alreadv great, was confined aside from its North I'llm and 
Ma]ile Street buildings well within the area bounded by ISaldwin, Mill, h'.ast 
Main, Hamilton Avenue and liridge streets. Within these limits it actually util- 
ized less than half the ground, the earliest constructed buildings being those along 
tile Mad River. Today it extends from the junction of Mill and East Main streets 
to the point wdiere the Alad l\i\er strikes .Siher Street, a length of over 4,800 feet. 
Over this stretch of nearly a mile and in the territory lying between IJridge Street 
and Hamilton Avenue and East Main .Street it has erected more than three hun- 
dred buildings, including its extensions and its relniilt structinx-s. 

b'rom 1^50 to 1902, a period of tifly-two years, tlie Scovill Manufacturing 
Comjiaiu' paid cash dividends amounting to $3,'ji3,y8(>. 1 5, ;inil in stock dividends, 
$1,980,281.25, a total of $5,594,267.40, for this period of over half a century. 

In iyi6 with a capitalization of $5,000,000, the Scovill Manufactiu'ing Com- 
pany paid dividends amounting to $11 1 a share, the total payments being almost 
as great as in its first fifty-two years. Its net earnings for 1916 amounted to 
$13,403,462, equal to $268 a share on outstanding stock. Besides accumulating 
this extraordinary profit, the company spent out of earnings $3,654,308 for plant 
additions and charged off approximately $2,000, oco for depreciation. A special 
reserve of $2,200,000 was set up for federal, state .and city taxes, and the general 
reserve for contingencies and improvements was increased to more than $1,500,- 
000. The surplus account from $3,0(13.845 in 11)14 '^'^d been ex[ianded to nearly 
$16,000,000 in 1916. 

A minute history of this company would be a history of the rise and progress 
of brass manufacture, the German silver manufacture, the daguerreotype, ambro- 
type, and photographic business, the numition making business, and of all the 
ramifications of these industries since they began to exist in the Cnited States. A 
brief account of this earlier history is essential to ascertain the lines on which the 
corporation was established. 

The business which afterwards became the Scovill ^lanufacturing Comi>any 
began in 1S02 when the firm of Abel Porter & Co., ttndertook the manufacture of 
gilt buttons. The firm was composed of Abel Porter, Daniel Clark, Silas Grilley 
and Levi G. Porter, all of W'aterbury. In August, i8og, Silas Grilley sold out 
to his partners and September 19, 181 1, the whole business passed into the hands 
of llr. I'Yederick Leavenworth, David Hayden and James M. L. Scovill, and the 
tirm name became Leavenworth, Hayden & Scovill. On April 4, 1827. Leaven- 
worth and Hayden sold their interest and William H. Scovill i)urchased a half 
interest in the business for which he paid about ten thousand dollars. The lirm 
became J. M. L. & W. H. Scovill. 



206 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \ ALLEY 

Within the next ten years several subsidiary organizations were estabhshed 
in which the parent firm became a partner with others. Among these was the 
firm of Scovills & lUickingham, consisting of J. M. L. and W. H. Scovill and 
John Buckingham, their brother-in-law, which was established in Oakville for 
the manufacture of brass butts, snuffer trays, belt ornaments and other small brass 
goods; also the lirrn of W. R. Hitchcock & Co., with \V. K. Hitchcock and Joseph 
C. Welton as partners, which undertook the manufacture of cloth buttons in a 
building on the west side of Union Square. Later Welton sold out and the firm 
became a corporation under the same name. About 1850 this business was 
removed to a factory on North Main Street, which had been built for the fork 
and sj)oon business, where the Waterbury Manufacturing Company now is 
About 1839 came the firm of Scovills & Co., with Scovill M. Buckingham and 
Abrani Ives as partners, for the prosecution of the gilt button business. The 
energies of the parent concern were at this time directed more towards sheet 
brass. Abram Ives sold out his interest and withdrew after two or three years. 

In 1850 all of these interests except that of \V. R. Hitchcock & Co. were con- 
solidated into one joint stock company under the name of The Scovill Manufac- 
turing Company, with a capital of $200,000, the stock being taken by the Messrs. 
Scovill and their partners and a few others who had long been in their employ 
or were otherwise connected. In 1852 the capital was increased to $250,000, in 
1854 to $300,000, in 1865 to $350,000, in 1882 to $400,000, in 1898 to $1,600,000, 
and in 1900 to $2,500,000, in 1904 to $3,250,000, in 1907 to $4,000,000, and in 
1913 to $5,000,000. It still remains at that figure. 

In 1881 a special charter was granted to the Company under the same name 
by the Legislature. 

Leavenworth, Hayden & Scovill dated their real beginning of success from 
1820, when Mr. James Croft, an Englishman, entered their employ. After 
remaining with them one year he was secured by Mr. Benedict and in 1829 he 
became one of the partners of the firm of Benedict & Co., then organized. It was 
largely due to the advice and encouragement of Mr. Croft that the venture was 
continued. Trained in the art of making gilt buttons in Birmingham, England, 
he was the first workman of technical skill whose name appears in connection 
with the infant industry. His knowledge of the needs of the business here, and 
as well of conditions in Birmingham, England, led Mr. Benedict to send him 
seven times to England for tools and workmen. It was Mr. Croft who secured 
for his employer the machinery which enabled him to compete successfully with 
the older lirm, Leavenworth, Hayden & Scovill. 

In 1834 it was the Scovill Company which challenged the exclusive right 
of the United States Government to issue coins. During the next seven years 
many tokens were issued by them of nearly two hundred different designs. The 
most of these were stamped from sheet copper, although a few were alloyed 
with tin. These passed as current coin, even after their manufacture ceased. 
In 1842 the issue was enjoined by the Government. After 1866 the Scovill 
Company furnished the United States mint with blanks for the three cent nickel 
and after 1890 with blanks for the one cent bronze and five cent nickel coins. 
Many coins, both blanks and fully stamped, have been issued by the Scovills and 
by others for many South American states. 

The most notable achievement in the history of the country in the line of 
medal making was the full set of medals — 23,757 '" number — furnished by the 
Scovill Manufacturing Company for the Columbian Exposition of 1893. These 
were particularly rich and full in design, and sjiecial machinery and processes 
were devised for their manufacture. 




OKKK'E l)K S('()\ILL .M.\\('KA("ITl;l\(; (d.MI'ANV, W ATKi: 111 ■|;^ 




I'l.l \ll-: ,V ATWdiiM MAXrFA( 'ITltlXC ('(•MPANA. W A'li;!; I'.li; V 



WATF.RBUKV AXD, THE XAUGATCCK \ A1.L1{V 207 

In lijOJ, oil the ()Cl.'a^^il)ll u{ thi.' (Hic Inindredth anni\ ersrir\ of llit- Sc()\ill 
Manufacturing L'unipany, a lirunze nicilal. 3 iiiclK'> in dianu-trr. was struck lo 
commemorate the occasion. This had on its lace oulhne portraits of the original 
founders of the business, j. Al. L. and W. 11. Sco\ill. and on the obverse side, 
the dates 1802-190J and the conimemoratue statement. It was classed with the 
best medal work that has been turned out in the country. 

In 1914, at the outlireak of the war, the Sco\ill Manufacturing rcjmpany 
was among the lirst to tender its ser\ ices for munition-making. With the ]ilant 
splendidly equijjped for this work, and land and other resources at hand for 
inniiediate extension, agents for foreign governments were not slow to lake 
advantage of this oti'er. The contracts fr)r the making of time fuses were n(jt 
alone speedily closed, but ;dl the skill and ingenuity of the l)est workmen in the 
country were applied to the great task. The ."^coxill Manuf.icturing Company 
made the first and best deliveries and its orders were greath' increased. 

Huge orders for shr.apnel shell cases were t.iken. These were shipjjed to 
inspection points where thirty shells out of e\ery 4,U(-KJ .are tested. Those which 
stand the test are then sent to the Kethleheni .^teel Works and other similar 
plants for lin.al assembling and disposal. Tlu're ha\'e lieen but irw rejections. 
In 11; 1 7 Cioxernmetit orders along the same lines were recei\ed. 

The physical growth of tlie plant may be njughly divided into three periods. 
The first period is that extending to ujoo, during wdiich time the total expended 
for buildings and machint-ry amounted to $1 ,4 i 1 .X(']3. This expenditure is tabu- 
lated as follows b\ the comjtany : 

1865 to 1 870 $ 1 34,44') 

1 870 to 1 875 80,479 

1875 to 1880 3'|.,?7>'^ 

1880 to 1885 35 1 .058 

1885 to 1890 181,927 

1890 to 1895 -239-283 

1895 to i*)Oo 387,6(34 

Since I<j02 the greater part of the plant has been constructed, but the third 
period beginning with 1914 has been by far the most extensive in construction, both 
in extensions and new buildings. The expenditures for additions to land, build- 
ings and machinery in the war period have l>een as follows ; 

1914 S 403.5-'4-7'' 

1915 2,330.244-'>0 

1916 3.654.385-77 

1917 to May 1st 1,158,754.36 

Total $7, 552,901). 55 

The following record of buildings erected since 1902 gives a fair conception 
of the rapidity of the plant's growth : 

Four-story manufacturing building back of East Main Street with a one-story 
addition, frontage of 200 feet. Brick construction. Period prior to 1910. 

One-story brick rolling mill building approximately 100 by 75 feet, centrally 
located in the older plant. One-story addition to this approximatelv the same size. 

Casting shop, four-story, new style construction. Replaced old building. Con- 
structed in 1912. 



208 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

One-story reinforced concrete and brick oilliouse. Built in iyi6. 

Extension of power house on canal. One-story, brick. Built in lyio. 

Extension of japannmg building on Mill Street, built 191 1. 

Eivc-story extension to manufacturing building back of East Main Street, 
brick, mill construction. Erected 1910. Frontage 200 feet. 

One-story manufacturing building back of i'.ast Main; built in 1909. 

Five-story and basement manufacturing building, mill construction. Built 
in 1910. Back of Mill Street. 

Five-story manulactunng building; narrow frontage on Mill Street; length 
about 250 feet, brick, mill construction. Erected in 1909. 

Two reinforced concrete five-story manufacturing buildings with frontage of 
about 600 feet on I'.ast Main Street. Seventy-eight feet deep. Constructed in 
1915 and 1916. 

Two-story brick manufacturing building between Alill and llayden streets. 
Erected in 1915. 

llayden Street residence completely remodeled for hospital uses, 1914. 

One-story temporary structure added to smaller manufacturing building on 
East Main Street. 

Two-story box and barrel factory completely rebuilt after the lire. 

One-story wood salvage plant building, erected in 1912. 

Ash-reclaiming plant, built in 1913. 

Incinerating plant built in the East yards in 1913. 

llayden Street building thoroughly remodeled for paint shop. 

Former garage in the East yards remodeled into tinsmithing plant. 

Experimental building of brick and steel construction in East yards, built in 
19 1 7. Used for research work. 

Large storehouse 106 by 247 feet, steel frame with wood roof, built in 1915 
with front on East Main Street. Moved in 19 16 to Silver Street plant. 

The first unit of new power houses in Silver Street plant. Has capacity of 
8,000 kilowatts. Furnishes electric power only. Erected in 1916. I'art of a 
duplicate unit now under construction. 

Steel and corrugated iron one-story temiiorary power and boiler house in 
Silver Street plant. 

Four-story, steel frame, brick walls, casting shop 160 by 200 feet. Erected 
in 19 1 6. This is the building with the twelve smoke stacks and is perhaps one of 
the largest casting shops in the country. 

Mill building, 120 by 220 feet, steel frame, brick and glass walls, one story high, 
erected on Silver near Meriden Road in 191 7. 

Small casting shop, steel and corrugated iron, 50 by 170, Silver Street plant, 
erected in 191 7. 

One-story high mill building 310 by 850 feet, steel frame, brick and glass walls, 
near Hamilton Avenue, started in 191 5; finished in 1916. 

Two-section barn, 40 by 200 feet, off Hamilton Avenue. 

Chemical laboratory, 50 by 212 feet, one story high, reinforced concrete, on 
Caroline and Ambrose streets. This is one of the most completely equipped labo- 
ratories in the couiUry. W. B. Price, chief chemist, is in charge. 

Hot forging plant, one story high, steel frame and corrugated iron, 125 by 
284 feet, erected in 1917. 

There are now under construction : 

New garage and manufacturing building, reinforced concrete, five stories. 
East Main between Hamilton Avenue and Ambrose Street, 78 by 218 feet. One- 
third of a proposed unit. 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \ALEEY 209 

Extension to the big mill liuilding near Hamilton A\enue. size 200 by 223 
feet. One story high, steel, brick and glass construction. 

Extension to Silver Street plant power house, as already mentioned. 

One-story, steel frame wood rouf temporary extension to storehouse. lod by 
192 feet. 

New hospital on Hamilton .\\enue, west of i'.uilding ()S. Heavy wood con- 
struction. One story. Just completed. 

In addition to this work, two dams have been built, the .Mad Ki\er dam in 
Kjih and the VVolcott dam in 11)17. 

The financial returns from this vast j)rogressive plant have been enornujus. 
On January 23, 1917. the .Scosill .Manufacturing Company declared an extr.'i 
dividend of toper cent, payable l'\-bruary 1st. This was the tenth monthly di\i- 
dend of 10 per cent to be declared in succession. On January ist, the extra and 
tiie regular quarterly 2 per cent were paid, and a special di\idend of 23 per cent 
in Anglo-French bonds was distributed on January 3th. Jn Kji'i, the extra and 
regular dividends amounted to 1 1 I per cent. 

The balance sheets for 1913 and 1916 follow: 

11JI3 191O 

l.aiul, buildings and machinery .'? (1,137,347 .'fl 7, ,190,930 

Cash and certificates of dejHjsit 3.430,2 12 0,047,703 

lionds 1 ,400,947 ,^-5 > 9,35'*:^ 

.Stock in other comjianies 3,24<'^ 5''>7S<^ 

Bills rec, etc 3,004,471 3,')7i,588 

Merchandi.se ,?.509,i3'J .S.3'4,790 

$17,520,361 $28,001,237 

Capit.al stock $ 3,000,000 .$ 3,000,000 

Surplus 2,i03,84() 2.588,20s 

Accounts payable, etc 2,882,333 809,567 

Contingencies and iniproxement reserve 1.300,000 4,ooo,0[X) 

Reserve for ta.xes 2,200,000 

Net earnings for year 5.974,362 13.403,462 

$17,320,501 $28,001,237 

The housing work done by the .Scovill Manufacturing Company, one of its 
most important miethods of helpfulness to its employees, is fully covered under a 
chajiter devoted to that subject. The history of its police and hre departments, 
which work in conjunction with the city departments, is fully told in the chapters 
devoted to the city's protection methods. 

Its hospital work started in January, 1014. with Miss Nora A. O'Brian, 
registered nurse, in charge. Miss O'Brian has three graduate nurse assistants and 
two male nurses. The hosjjital is open night and day for service, and no matter lunv 
slight the injury, it must be reported and looked after by the physician in charge. 
The main hospital on Hayden Street has an operating room, rest rooms for men 
and women, an X-ray room, a sterilizing room and a laboratory. The luist 
Hospital contains all of these equipments except laboratory and X-ray room. 
These hospitals provide for free examination of employees, free treatment in 
case of accidents and also serve to assist in placing employees at work which 
cannot aggravate any organic trouble which they may possess. 

Vol. 1—14 



210 \VATi:Ri',LRV AND THE XAUGATUCK \ALLEY 

In explanation of tlic work the following written by tiie capable nurse in 
charge of the Scovill Manufacturing Company's hospital, .Miss Nora O'Brian, in 
lier 1916 report, is enhghtening: 

"During our few years' existence, our experience has taught us that, in the 
administration of industrial enterprises, few factors are of more importance than 
medical and surgical supervision; care of the health and sanitary conditions, in 
the modern industrial concerns, carries with it no light responsibility. Employees 
are constantly encouraged to seek medical and surgical aid and advice in case of 
even the most trivial accident or the slightest illness. No physical phase in the 
life of the employee, or his family, is too large or too small to claim the atten- 
tion of the company's physicians and surgeons, and a visiting nurse, whose service 
is gratuitous, is always on call and frequent visits are made to the homes of the 
employees. During the past year the management is able to report numerous 
im}>rovenients and better general conditions. With the co-operation of the 
employment office, with the information obtained from our various committees 
and associations, we are frequently able to place employees having physical disa- 
bilities to good advantage and applicants for work are not necessarily debarred 
becatise of physical disabilities. When we find, through accident or observation, 
an emjjloyee who is not fitted for his work and is undermining his health by 
jjerforniing such work, with the co-operation of the foreman this employee is 
]>laced to advantage and kept under observation. 

"Due to the co-operation of the foreman, by reporting accidents immedi- 
ately, infection cases are reduced to a minimum and very little time is lost 
through infection. 

"Employees suffering from physical disabilities, such as hernia, epilepsy, 
varicose veins and diseases of the heart and kidneys, must sign instructions not 
to do any heavy lifting or over-e.xert themselves and are placed to advantage, 
also kept continually under observation l)y reporting to the hospital for peri- 
odical examination. 

"The number of accidents for the year 1916 will approximate 16,000; casual- 
ties (for which the company is not held responsible), 11,287; total number of 
cases treated by the medical department in all its branches, 27,286 ; total number 
of surgical dressings, 60,000; as compared with 11,493 accidents, 4,623 casualties, 
and 16,728 dressings during the previous year. The increase in number of cases 
is due principally to a much larger number being employed, and also because 
employees have been encouraged more strongly to report any indisposition to the 
hospital. 

"The management has also extended the use of the Scovill Mospital to 
employees of outside concerns, who may be working on the premises. Due to 
the e.xtensive additions and alterations of the Scovill plant for the past few years, 
the lunnber of outside concerns' employees receiving treatment at this hospital 
has shown a decided increase. During the year 1914, forty outside employees 
were treated; 191 5, 400; and indications for the present year are that 500 outside 
employees will probably receive treatment at this hospital." 

The employment bureau of the Scovill Company, established as a distinct 
branch of the vast business, was opened in 1914, and is now in charge of 
Robert E. Piatt, head of the industrial service department. All applicants, both 
men and women, pass through this department, averaging from 50 to 100 a day. 
When an employee is first taken on, he is given a set of instructions in the 
language he can read best, to which he sig^s his name. These instructions in 
effect tell him to "go to the hospital when he is injured or sick." He is given a 
ticket describing him, his injury, where and when occurred, etc. This, when 



WATERBURY AXD THE XAUGATUCK \'ALLEV 211 

injured, he takes to the liosjiital at uikh-, where lie recei\es treatment, the ticket 
being '/wen a serial miinher and liled for reference. 

The employment bureau is closely connected with what is known as the 
l)erni;inent safety advisory eoniniiltee, a grouj) of re])resentati\e foremen and 
superintendents wdio carry on frequent inspection of dangerous localities and 
investigate all serious accidents with a \ievv to carrying out such changes as will 
lessen the chance of a repetition. Eurthermore, new buildings and machinery 
are designed with special reference to safety and health, while all dangerous 
tools, machines and localities are safeguarded as soon as recommendation is made 
by this committee. But in the matter of the help they do much to see that in the 
line of l:)oth skilled and unskilled labor, only physically able men and women are 
taken on. 

The industrial service department was st.irled in .\pril. nyij, with Rev. II. D. 
Gallaudet in charge. He left in Al.iy to enter the army service and Robert E. 
riatt is now in charge of this work. It is rapidly developing into its proposed 
line of usefulness, which to begin with will be largely survey work- so that special 
adjustments can be made intelligently. It is proposed to develo]! this department 
so that in its sociological work it will he!]i the employees along educational as 
well as along recreational lines. 

It is interesting to note here that the service tlag of the company, which is 
now, December, ic)i7, in preparation, will have about four hundred stars in it. 

Tlie Scovill Manufacturing t"omi)any has had but little labor trouble. On 
August 25, 1915, the company increased wages 15 per cent and grantetl the 
.Saturday half-holiday with full ])ay. Since that date it has made further sub- 
stantial increases with a bonus system which enables the skilled wurknien to make 
excellent wages. 

The number of women employed changes often. At present. l)eceniber. nji", 
about one-quarter of all employed are w'omen. 

The officers of the corporation have been as follows: 

PRESIDENTS 

J. iM. L. Scovill 1850-1857 

Scovill M. Buckingham 1857-1861 

Samuel W. Hall 1861-1868 

I'Vederick J. Kingsbury 1868-1900 

Chauncey P. Goss 1900-1917 

VICE PRESIDENTS 

I'Tederick J. Kingsbury lOOO-iQi 1 

Mark E. Sperry 191 1-1917 

TRE.\SURERS 

William IE Scovill 1850-1854 

Scovill !VI. Buckingham 1855-1861 

F. J. Kingsbury 1861-1864 

Henry Merriman for one month. 

F. J- Kingsbury i8r)4-i865 

Barrett Ripley 1865-1866 

Chauncey P. Goss 1866-1917 



212 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \' ALLEY 

SECRETARIllS 

Scovill AI. Iluckingham 1850-1858 

Edward S. Clark 1858-1862 

Frederick J. Kingsbur}- 1862-1864 

Chauncey P. Goss 1864-1869 

Mark L. Sperry 1869-1917 

ASSISTANT TREASURER 

Edward O. Goss 1900- 1917 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY 

Theophiliis R. I fydo, Jr 19001907 

C. M. DeMott 1907-1917 

DIRECTORS 

James M. L. Scovill 1850-1857 

William H. Scovill 1850-1854 

Scovill M. Buckingham 1850-1862 

George Mallory 1850- 1855 

Samuel \V. Hill 1850-1877 

Mark L. Sperry 1877- 

Edward S. Clark 1855-1862 

Samuel Holmes 1855-1878 

Frederick J. Kingsbury 1858-191 1 

Christopher C. Post 1862-1869 

Scovill M. Buckingham 1863-1889 

Doitglass F. Maltby 1866-1867 

Thomas L. Scovill .' 1866-1886 

Thomas C. Morton 1867-1876 

Douglass F. Maltby 1869-1898 

Qiauncey P. Goss 1877- 

Washington L Adams 1878-1896 

William E. Curtis 1910- 

Henry W. Scovill 1889- 

Guernscy S. Parsons 1890-1897 

Joseph T. Whitlesey 1896-1903 

Theophilus R. Hyde, Jr 1897-1901 

Edward O. Goss 1898- 

John H. Goss 1903- 

C. M. DeMott 1907- 

The present directors are: C. P. Goss, E. O. Goss, J. H. Goss, Mark L. 
Sperry, H. W. Scovill, W. E. Curtis, C. M. DeMott. 

CAPITAL 

1850 — January, original $ 200,000 

1852 — January, increase 50,000 

1854 — January, increase 50,000 

1865 — September, increase 50,000 



WATERBURY AND THE XAUGA'IL'CK \ALLEV 213 

1882 — August, increase 50,000 

1892 — January, increase i ,200,000 

1900 — January, increase 900,000 

1904 — January, increase 750,000 

1907 — January, increase 750,000 

1913 — January, increase 1 ,000,000 

$5,000,000 

THE MATTHEWS & WILLARD M AX UEACTL'RIXG COMI'ANV 

The Matthews & Willard plant on North Ehii Street is now a lirancli of the 
Scovill Manufacturing Company, having been bought out in May, 1903. It was 
incorporated originally for $250,000 in 1890, and its officers then were : Presi- 
dent, F. L. Curtis ; treasurer, C. P. Goss ; secretary and manager, George G. 
Blakeslee. fts outinit is along the general lines of brassware made by the Scovill 
Company. 



CHAPTER XVII 
OTHER BRASS AND HRASSWARE COMPANIES 

THE AMERICAN RING COMrANY RANDOLPH & CLOWES COMPANY ^THE WATERBURY 

ROLLING MILLS A. H. WELLS & CO. FRENCH MANUFACTURING COMPANY THE 

PILLING BRASS COMPANY WATERBURY BRASS GOODS CORPORATION STEELE & 

JOHNSON THE NATIONAL COMPANY THE SMITH & GRIGGS MANUFACTURING 

COMPANY THE SHOE HARDWARE COMPANY PLATT BROTHERS & COMPANY 

NOVELTY MANUFACTURING COMPANY — BERBECKER & ROWLAND MATTATUCK 

MANUFACTURING COMPANY WATERBURY BUCKLE COMPANY' L. C. WHITE 

COMPANY NOERA MANUFACTURING COMPANY THE GENERAL MANUFACTUR- 
ING COMPANY THE AMERICAN FASTENER COMPANY THE SIMONSVILLE MAN- 
UFACTURING COMPANY ^THE WATERBURY METAL WARES COMPANY THE 

SOMERS COMPANY, INC. THE CONNECTICUT MANUFACTURING COMPANY. 

The Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company is one of the larger inde- 
pendent manufacturing establishments of the country. It was organized in 1869, 
assuming its present name in 1871. Israel H-olmes was its first president and 
David S. Plume its treasurer. It constructed the older part of its present factory 
on P>ank Street in 1872, also purchasing the brass rolling mill of the Thomas 
Manufacturing Company at Thomastoii. Within the past twenty years the plant 
at Thomaston has been greatly enlarged and the factory in Waterbury, a very 
modest structure to begin with, has now a frontage of 679 feet on Bank and 
144 feet on Jackson streets. There are in all twelve buildings in the present plant. 
The Waterbury factory manufactures general brass products which are sold to 
retailers and jobbers all over the world. 

The presidents since 1890 have been: Lewis J. Atwood to February 23, 1909; 
Charles H. Tucker, April 19, 1909, to February 8, 1910; Walter S. Atwood, 
February 8, 1910, to February 14, 191 1; John Booth I'.urrall, February 4, 191 1, 
to the present time. 

The vice presidents of the company have been as follows: Charles H. Tucker, 
February 11, 1902, to April 19, 1909; Walter S. Atwood from April 19, 1909, 
to February 8, 1910; Robert C. Swayze, from February 8, 1910, to February, 1916, 
when he was succeeded by the present vice president, Otis S. Northrop. E. M. 
Burrall, one of Waterbury's most enterprising manufacturers, was for fifteen 
years, until his death in 1901, a director of this company. 

The present secretary is S. Kellogg Plume, elected February 11, 191 5, suc- 
ceeding Fred T. Millham. David S. Plume was its treasurer from January 25. 
1870, to February 19, 1907. He was succeeded by John Booth Burrall. The 
l)resent treasurer, John II. Hurlbut, has been in office since February 11, 1914. 

Its capital is $1,250,000 and it employs about one thousand hands in the 
plants at Waterbury and Thomaston. 

The Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company are manufaclurers of brass, 
copper and German silver in the sheet, wire and rod, copper and brass rivets and 
burrs, printers' rule strips and galley plates, brass butt hinges, brass and iron 

214 



\V.\TliKi;L'RY AXD THE XAUCATUCK \AIJ.EY 215 

jack chain, csculchcini pins. "The Royal Laniii," kerosene oil burners and kinips, 
kniiji lrininiinL;s and i^as and ek-ctric tixture parts. 

Tiib; .\Mi£i;u;.\.\ ki.xc cu.Mr.xNv 

The .'\nierican l\ing C onipany, now under the control of the I'hnne & Atwood 
Manufacturing Company, incorporated in iS5_'. It started .il t'irst on Canal 
Street in a very small factory. Today in its Ikmk .Street factories it enii.iloys 
500 people. Its capital is $50,000. This is the original amount for which the 
company had been incorporated and has not been changed. 

I he company manufactures furniture trimmings and bathroom accessories, 
which are sold to joldiers and retailers. It has a live-story factory and branch 
LifFices in New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco. 

The officers in 1893 were: E. M.- Burrall, president; L). .S. Plume, treasurer; 
and David N. Plume, secretary. On the death of I). X. Plume in 1899, F. S. 
Chesson became secretary. In 1902 Charles 11. Tucker was made president, witii 
D. .S. Plume treasurer, and F. \V. Chesson secretary. In i<)o6 the officers were: 
Lliarles 11 Tucker, president; 1). S. Plume, treasurer; John AI. Purrall, secretary; 
John K. Purrall, assistant treasurer. February 11, 1914, John IC J'.urr.all was 
elected president and treasurer, and John .M. I'.urr.ill secretary and gener.d 
manager, which positions they hold in 19 17. 

(Jne of its most successful patents, which is still m;inufacfured in karge 
quantities, is the \\';ishburne fastener, a combination button and spring clasj). 
It is today a staple in trades .and industries re([uiring fasteners. 

The great success of this company was due largely to the business acumen 
and progressiveness of Edward Milton Burrall. its president from 1888 to 1901, 
the year of his death, lie was for years vice president and trustee of the Dime 
Savings Bank and a director of the Coloni.al Trust Company. 

K.V.MKII.ril & CLOWliS COMPAXV 

Of the various estalilishments in the brass industry aside from the Scovill 
Manufacturing Company, the Chase Companies, and the American Brass Com- 
pany one of the largest single plants is that of the Randolph 6\: Clowes Company. 

This firm began business in i88(), purchasing part of the plant of the defunct 
concern of Brown & Brothers. Edward F. Randolph, of Xew York, furnished 
the money and the management was placed in the hands of (jeorge 11. Clowes. 
Work was liegun in Ajiril, 1886, with fifty men anil one clerk. At the end of 
three years, the business had grown to $600,000 a year, largely by reason of the 
ability and energy of Mr. Clowes. 

In 1890 Mr. Clowes had developed the business to such an extent that he 
was pre])ared for the manufacture of sheet brass and sheet copper and bought 
the disused rolling mill of the old company for this purpose. 

The death of Air. Randolpli in 1898 forced a change in the affairs of the 
company, and long litigation ended in the defeat of Mr. Clowes, Charles Aliller 
and associates taking over the Rantlolph and controlling interest in tlie firm of 
Randolph & Clowes. 

Air. Clowes did much to develop Watcrbury, not alone along manufacturing 
lines, but in the way of civic beautification. In a few years he worked marvelous 
changes at Norwood, the Pine.s and at Overlook. In 1894 Air. Clowes was presi- 
dent of the Board of Trade. He died May 17, 1912. 

In August. 1899, Randolph & Clowes was incor]iorated for $500,000 and its 



216 \\ati:ri!URY and tjik naugatuck \-alley 

first officers were: President, C. P. Goss; treasurer, Franklin A. Taylor; secretary 
Curtis J. Birkenmayer. In 1904 Charles Miller, to whomi the courts awarded a 
controlling interest, acquired by purchase during the previous few years, was 
chosen president ; i'Vanklin A. Taylor, vice president and secretary, and Charles E. 
Hall, treasurer. 

In 1917 its oflicers are: Vice president, Ralph II. Smith; secretary, Henry I. 
I-'arnuni. Its president, Charles Miller, died February 6, 1917, and Mr. Hall 
died later in the year. 

Mr. Miller was one of the most prominent business men of Waterbury, having 
come here in i860 and with Henry H. Peck founded the Miller & Peck Dry 
Goods Company. In 1899 he retired from this and devoted his time to the devel- 
opment of the business of Randolph & Clowes. Mr. Miller died at the ripe age 
of seventy-nine years and five months. 

The Randolph & Clowes plant today comprises twenty buildings in which 
about seven hundred men are regularly employed. Fully half of these buildings 
are of modern factory construction and equipped with one of the finest crane 
systems in the city. 

It manufactures seamless drawn brass and copper tubing and shells to 32 
inches in diameter; sheet brass and bronze; brass and bronze rods; Muntz metal 
sheets and rods ; marine bronze sheets and rods ; brazed brass tubing and mould- 
ing ;s]nni brass kettles and Ikown & lirothers seainless copper range boilers. 

THE WATERBURY ROLLING .MILLS 

The Waterbury Rolling Mills, Inc., was organized in March, 1907. Its capital 
is 8200,000. The first officers of the company were : President, Ambrose H. 
Wells ; secretary and assistant treastirer, Fred B. Beardsley ; treasurer, Frank P. 
Welton. 

Its officers in 1917 are: Cornelius Tracy, president; Fred B. Beardsley, 
secretary and treasurer ; R. D. Somers, vice president and assistant treasurer. 

In 1908 additions of considerable importance were made to the plant. The 
new factory building put up in that year is of brick and steel construction, one 
story high, 65 by 150 feet in size, with wing 32 by 40 feet. The casting shop 
and boiler house are of the same construction, also one story in height. The 
dimensions are 50 by 64 feet and 34 by 45 feet, respectively, and were put up 
in 1908. 

In 1909 the one-story concrete and steel building, 48 by 150 in size, was 
erected, together with some frame additions. Further additions followed and in 
1917 a shipping building, blacksmith shop, and a new garage are under 
construction. 

The Waterbury Rolling Mill em]jloys about one hundred and twenty-five hands, 
and manufactures German silver, bronze, gilding metal, platers, bars, low brass 
and other special alloys in sheet and rolls. 

A. II. WELLS & CO. 

A. H. Wells & Co. began business in 1887. Its incorporation, however, was 
deferred until 1907, when its capital was fixed at $50,000. In 1916, this was 
increased to $250,000. Its first president was A. H. Wells, who died February 15, 
1910. The company since then has had the following officers: President, S. J- 
Wells; secretary, C. H. Wells; treasurer, G. H. Wells. 



WATERliURV AXU THE XAli.ATLXK \ ALLEY 217 

Its outjnit is confined t(j small sizes of seamless brass and co[>per tubint,'. 'J'he 
plant gives employment to i6o hands. 

Jn 1905, the new factory building on W'atertown A\enue was added tu ihe 
plant, and from that time on extensions ha\-e been made rejieatedly with the 
growth of business. 

Uoth brick and concrete and frame additioIl^ were put up in 11,07. I'joS and 
1909, the latter 40 by 100 feet in size. The additions in 1911 were one-story 
brick structures, 64 by 107 and 35 liy 55. Smaller additions were made in 11)14. 
and in 1915 and 1916 a 100 by i(x> factory was erected. ^L'lny iniiirovements haw- 
been added in the past two years. 

The plant is today one of the most complete of its kind in the country. 

Tim FRi-:.\i.'ii MAxri-.\( TrKi.NC co.\lI•.\-\^ 

The French .Manufacturing Company was (jrganized in nio.s. with !■'. W. 
French as president. L. R. Carter as treasurer, and (ieorge L. Jeiiks as secretary. 
Its capital wa.s $25,000, increased March 2. mio, to .S^o.ooo. ;md March 14. 
1913, to $100,000. 

The first factory was built at 1 jS Robbins Street, and was 4;.) by (« feet. 
.Since then additions ha\e been built e\ery two )ears. The factorv is now 2O0 
by 80 feet, and three stories in height. It is (if brick and steel construction, with 
cement floors and roof. The company manufactures seamless brass tubing in 
small sizes and fine gauges, also seamless brass copper, aluminum and other alloy 
tubing and various products made from seamless tubes. It also manufactures 
piano player hardware and co])per electrical linings. Its product is sold to other 
manufacturers. 

Its plant is o]ierated by I'lcclric power. It employs 140 h.uids. of whom 
35 jier cent are skilled workmen. 

THE I'lI.l-lNG BR.\SS Cn.MPA.W 

The Pilling Brass Company was incorporated in .\pril, 11)07, ^^'t'l ^ capital of 
$25,000. increased July 8. 1915. to $100,000. Its business from the outset has 
been that of making thin gauges of brass, copjicr and German sih'er. Its tirst 
officers were: J. W. Pilling, ])resident and treasurer, and Jacob L. Sweiger, 
secretary. Air. Sweiger sold out in 1909 and was succeeded by James H. Pilling" 
as secretary. It has greatly enlarged its plant, building a new addition in 1916. 

On November i, 1917, the business was sold to the Connecticut Brass Cor- 
])oration of West Cheshire, Conn., which is now operating the plant under the 
name of the Connecticut Brass and Manufacturing Corporation. The Con- 
necticut Brass Corporation was started in 1912 by Michael E. Keeley and sold 
in 1917 to the Liggett interests, who also owned the Mayo Radiator Company 
of New Haven, and wanted to secure an assured supply of sheet brass. .About 
five hundred hands are employed in the two plants, and this will be increased 
soon to 800. The company is planning large extensions. The Connecticut Brass 
Company supplies all of the metal needed for the manufacturing of the Mavo 
radiators, and the Cheshire plant furnishes sheets to be further manufactured 
into small sizes by the ^^'aterbury plant. 

THE W.VTERniTKV BRASS GOODS CORPOR.VTION 

The Waterbury Brass Goods Corporation was incorporated in July. 1904, and 
took over remanufacturing departments of American Brass Company subsidiaries. 



218 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Its capital is $500,000. Its president is John A. Coe, Jr., its secretary John I*. 
Durfce, its treasurer Gordon W. Burnham. 

The company is a large manufacturer of brass goods, lamps, kerosene burners, 
butts, hinges, chains, and brass and bronze castings. It occupied part of the 
Holmes, Booth & Ilaydens plant. It erected its first two buildings in its Wash- 
ington Street plant in 1909, and added two large buildings in 191 1 and 1912. 

TIIK STKKLK & JOHNSON M .\NUF.\CTU1UNG C0Mr.\NY 

The Steele & Johnson Manufacturing Company was incorporated on March 
17, 1857, as the Steele & Johnson Button Company. In 1874 the business was 
removed to its present location on South Main Street and in 1888 the company 
purchased the property and erected its lirst structures. In 1894 the officers were: 
Charles M. .Mitchell, president and treasurer, and Benjamin L. Coe, secretary and 
superintendent. Llisha Steele, the founder of the business, died in June, 1875. 
Charles F. Mitchell, the present executive, succeeded his father in the position. 
Benjamin L. Coe still holds his position as secretary. 

Its capitalization is $150,000. 

The company manufactures brass goods from sheet wire, rod and tubing, 
sheets, drawn, stamped and spun ; stamped shells up to 24 inches diameter, nuts, 
washers, chain, brass and iron chandelier chain, buttons for uniforms, ornaments 
and novelties, supplies for lighting fixtures, electrical and plumbers' trades, and 
automatic screw machine products. 

Since 1900 the company has put up eight factory buildings on its present 
site. The largest of these buildings, four stories, 42 by 150, was put up in 1909 
and 1910. A four-story factory, 40 by 89, was i)ut u]) in IQ07 and 1908, and 
another of four stories, 33 by 51, was erected in ii;i i. 

OTHKR KR.\SS COMPANllCS 

Newcomers in the field are the W'aterbury lirass and Bronze Company, which 
in 1917 changed its name to the Connecticut Brass Foundry Company. Its 
business is devoted to brass, bronze and aluminum castings. It was incorporated 
originally in 1916 for $10,000, with Bernhard L. Coe as president and Henry L. 
Silver as secretary and treasurer. 

The Eastern Brass and Ingot Company, of New York, entered the Waterbury 
field in 19 16. While incorporated in New York, it is a Chicago firm, with 
Howard Baker of Chicago as president. A. C. Duryea, vice president, is in 
charge of the new plant erected in the fall of 1916 on East Aurora Street. Its 
business is the conversion of finely-divided metal scrap into solid briquet-ingots. 
It employs fifty hands. 

THE N.\TION.\L C0MP.\NV 

The National Company, manufacturers of brass, copper, bronze and nickel 
seamless tubing, has made a record in 1917, its plant having been increased in 
the past twelve months from 7.000 square feet in its main buildings to 21,000 
square feet. It was incorporated in April, 1913, with a capital of $250,000. Its 
officers then were: President and treasurer, M. J. Byrne; vice president, A. A. 
Tanner ; secretary. George M. Beach. These are its present officers, with the 
exception that the vice presidency is now held by Walter N. I.ovell. In addition 



WATEKHURY AXD Till-: XAUGATUCK \'ALI.EV 21!) 

to its officers, its directors are 11. Al. (Gardner of Cleveland and Aliss Mary C 
O'Neill of W'aterliury. The coniijany eniplnys abnut one hundred men. 

It is doing- some excellent h(iusing work near its plant on Huntingdon A\eniie. 
having in process of construction a _'S-rooni single story dwelling, which is to be 
for the use of four families, h^ach seven-room sectinn has a ct-llar. citv water, 
electric light and every possilile con\enience. 

Tin: s.Miiii & oKiiics M.\Nri'A< rrKixc comp.wv 

1'he .Smith iK: Griggs Alanufacturing t'cimpany was incorporated in uSiu) for 
$40,000, and this cajjital was not increased until iijOj. when it was iixed at 
,1^400,000, the amount of its [jresent ca]iitalizatinn. The original partnership was 
formed in 1S64 by John E. Smith and Idenrv C. '-"iriggs. 

'1 he C(.)mpany manufactures all kind^ of brass and metal goods, buckles, 
clasps, auto and carriage hardware, etc. 

In i8<J4 A. S. Chase was president; E. S. Smith, treasurer; R. H. Smith, 
secretary. 

Its officers and directnr.s in iijij are: Ralph II. ."^milh, pre\ident .and treas- 
urer; j. R. Smith, assistant secretary; directors. Ralph 11. .Smith. |. R. .Smith. 
H. S. Chase, I. H. Chase, A. J. Smith! R. V. Griggs. Julius .\laltby. 

Its plant on .South Main Street, near Pearl Lake Road, was enlarged in 
1900 liy the addition of two factories, sizes 43 by 137 and JO by 30. 

THE .SHOE n.\ia)\V.\RE (0M1'-\XV 

The .Shoe Hardware Company of W'aterbury was organized with a cajiital 
of .$-'5,000 in iSqX. This was increased to $400,000 December _'o, ii)i,^, and 
reduced to $100,000 April nj. igij. It is a subsidiary of the L'nited States 
Rubber Company and manufactures much of the hardware used by that corpora- 
tion. Its annual out])ut of buckles runs into many millions. There have been 
few changes in the personnel of its officials since its organization. In .\o\ember, 
1917, Henry E. Hotchkiss, of New Haven, who had been i>resi(.lent since its 
organization in 1S9S, resigned and A. D. Field, of Waterbury, wdio had been 
secretary and treasurer since the company began business, was elected president ; 
Mr. Hotchkiss liecoming \-ice jiresident and E. W. Rutherford secretary. 

The company's plant on Rrowii Street has been greatly exteiided. additions 
having been made nearly every year of its existence. In I goo the central three- 
story building, 86 by 97, was erected, and in 1908 the large addition, 66 by 8j, and 
the brick boiler house were added. In 11)09 the wing. 73 by 107, was added. In 
loi r and 1912 the Hve-story brick building. S4 Ijy <jo. and the three-story brick 
Iniilding were added. 

Henry L. Hotchkiss. who was its president for s" manv \"ears. has been closely 
identified with the L'nited .States Rubber Company as a director and was on its 
executive committee for the first seven years of its existence. 

THE PL.\TT I5R0THERS & COMP.\NY 

Among the long-established manufacturing enterprises of Waterbury is that 
of the Piatt Brothers & Company, which was incorporated in 1876, but was 
founded on the first of April, 1847. Even before that date the business had its 
inception, having been established by Alfred Piatt, grandfather of Lewis A. Piatt, 
who is now president of the concern. 



220 WATERBURY AXD THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

It continued the manufacture of buttons until 1910, when that branch of 
the business was taken over by a newly organized company under the name of 
the Patent Ikitton Company, capital $48,0(X), of which Lewis A. Piatt, however, 
remains the treasurer. The original firm of A. Piatt & Co. was afterward reor- 
ganized under the name of A. Piatt & Sons and upon the death of the founder 
of the business it was incorporated in 1876 under the name of The Piatt 
Brothers & Company. The capital is $30,000. It has not been changed. This 
company manufactures all kinds of light metal articles, including eyelets, and 
sells direct to manufacturers. It employs about one hundred operatives in the 
factory, 50 per cent being skilled labor. After the incorporation of the company, 
W. S. Piatt was chosen president, with his brother, Clark M. Piatt, as secretary 
and treasurer. The latter succeeded to the presidency on the death of \V. S. 
Piatt in 1886, while Lewis A. Piatt, soit of Clark M. Piatt, became secretary. 
He continued in that office until chosen to the presidency, which position he 
still fills. 

The Piatt Brothers & Company factory was destroyed by fire in 1893, but 
was rebuilt in 1896 and 1897 and contains about twenty thousand square feet. 
It uses both water and electric power and the factory is equipped with both 
individual and group motors. There are five turbine water wheels, furnishing 
400 horse power from the river. Clark M. Piatt continued as president to the 
time of his death in 1900, when Lewis A. Piatt became president, with J. II. Hart 
as treasurer and Wallace H. Camp as secretary. 

THE jNOVKl.TV .M ANa'FACTUKIXC. COMP.\NY 

The Xovelty .Manufacturing Company was organized in June, 1872, and 
William Bake was president; Edwin II. Putnam, treasurer; Thomas Fitzsimons, 
secretary, and John Cushbaum, with the three officers, constituted the board of 
directors. The business was begun at 125 Maple Street in a small way. In 1886 
Mr. Blake died and Mr. Putnam became president. On his death in 1889, Mr. 
Fitzsimons, who had been treasurer from 1886 to 1889 became president and 
treasurer, purchasing the Putnam interest, with Mr. William E. Blake as secre- 
tary. The latter withdrew in February, 1892, and in July Louis E. Fitzsimons 
became secretary. Thomas Fitzsimons died in 191 1, and Oscar Fitzsimons 
served as president from 1910 until October, 191 2, with Louis E. I^'itzsimons as 
secretary and treasurer. On October 2, 1912, C. L. Holmes bought out Oscar 
Fitzsimons and on the 23d of January, 1913, became vice president, with Louis E. 
Fitzsimons as president and treasurer. O. S. Gage became secretary October 2, 
1912, and the three officers remained in their respective positions until August, 
1917, when Louis E. Fitzsimons died. 

In 1894 the company built a factory, 36 by 88, four stories, of mill con- 
struction. In 1900 it built a large addition in two parts, four stories. In 1902 
it bought more ground, the building on it was remodeled and in 1906 a new 
building was added. The company now has 50,000 square feet in all. 

On July 13, 1910, the capital stock was increased from $12,500 to $200,000. 

The company manufactures metal goods, including bathroom fittings and 
accessories. It is the largest manufacturer in the United States of pipe ferrules, 
table cutlery, trimmings, lawn sprays, cabinet hardware, and curtain fasteners 
for automobiles. It makes all kinds of metal specialties, manufacturing several 
thousand diflfcrent lines. It sells to other manufacturers and to the retail trade. 
It has a tool making department. It employs over two hundred and fifty people. 



WATERIIURY AXD THE XAL'GATUCK \ ALLEY :221 

THE liEUHIie KKU & ROWLAND ]\I A NlU-WfTUKI .\'< ", CUM PAN V 

The Berbeckcr &• Kowlaiid .Manufacturing Company was organized in 1894, 
capital $150,000, when Mcrbcrt S. Kdwhind purchased an interest in the Tucker 
ALinufacturing Cumpany, which liad heen incorporated July 31, iX,S(). Its capital 
today is $350,000. 

The officers in 1895 were; Julius llerljecker, president; L'. W. H. Derbecker, 
secretary, and LL S. Rowland, treasurer. 

In 1917 the officers are; \i. N. lierbecker, [jresident ; Herbert .'^. Rowkind, 
secretary and treasurer; ;ind Robert S. Rooth, assistant treasurer. Its capital 
is unchanged. 

The growth of the business i-, indicated b\- the fact that the plant has douliled 
its ca])acity several times b)- the building of \ ;irious addition- to the factory. 
Since 1900 it has erected thirteen factory buililings in its twenty acres of ground 
at Waterville. 

It now employs J75 people. The coni]ian\ manufactures caljinel. u]iliolstery 
and drapery hartlware, which is sobl all o\er the L'nited States and aljroad. 

lt> buildings are nearly all of mill construction. 

TIIK M.\TT.\TI;( K .M A M I .\( T TKI N( ; (.(i.MI'.WV 

The Mattatuck Manufacturing ( 'omp.any was organized (Jctobri- 15, lS<)fi. 
with Hein^)' L. Wade as president, ( leorge I'". Judd ;is treasurer, and ( Iroige 
Tucker as secretary. (Jn the death ni .Mr. Wade, .Mr. Judd siicct'cded Ibm as 
president, while continuing in the oftice of trcisurer, and .Mr. Tucker has been 
succeeded by William E. Fielding, who is now seci'etarv ;md general manager. 
Its capital is $225,000. 

The factory at No. i<)S7 blast Alain Street h.as .a front.agc of joo feet. The 
property of the company covers sexeral acres of land, with se\en model houses 
for employes. 

There are two factory buildings. e;ich 150 by 44 feet, four stories high, and 
of mil! construction, with the sprinkler system. 

The company manufactures brass and wire goods, furniture nails, njiholsterv 
nails, spring lied fabrics, screw machine |ir<i(lucls, handcutTs. wire forms and 
shapes and novelties. The compruiy employs 500 people. i»o per cent skilled, 
15 per cent girls. 

THE w.\Ti';kr.rKV iu'ckt^e co.mi'AXV 

The W'aterbury Ruckle Company was organized April 7. 1853. Its cajiital 
was increased in 1912 to S4(X>.ooo. Its present officers are Archer I. Smith, 
president and treasurer, and Julius Maltby. secretary. 

The company now has 400 employes, mostly skilled. Its main factory is 600 by 
400 feet, the old building three stories high and the new Iniilding five stories. 

The company manufactures all kinds of buckles and brass and steel si)ecialties. 
selling extensively to other manufacturers. 

Its early success was due largely to the work of its former president, I'larl 
Smith, who joined the com]jany first as secretary and manager in 1865 and later 
as president. He died July 22, 1906, having been with the com])any over thirty 
years. At his death he was president of the American Mills Company, the Snn'tli 
& Griggs Company, the Narrow Fabric Company of New Ha\en, the Waterbury 



222 WATERLURY AND THE XAUGATUCK \ ALLEY 

Buckle ComjKiny, and a director in the Waterbury National Bank. In i8yo lie 
was one of the committee appointed to revise Waterbury 's charter. He was 
prominent not alone in industrial lines, but took a deep interest in the civic 
develo])nK'nt of the city. 

THE L. C. WHITE COMPANY 

Jhe L. C. White Company was incorporated July, 1888, for $15,000, at which 
it remains today. In 1893 George L. White became president and served until 
his death, December i, 1914. I'rank J. Ludington continued as vice president 
until his death October 11, 1909, when Frederick W. Ludington succeeded him 
and is still in office. In 1903 George L. White, Jr., became secretary and in 
1914 became president and treasurer, with W. H. White as secretary. 

The company manufactures buttons, upholstering nails and button part nov- 
elties, and employs 100 people, mostly men. It developed a line of automatic 
machinery for the manufacture of its product, which is sold all over the United 
States and abroad to jobbers and manufacturers. 

THE NOERA MANUFACTURING COMPANY 

The Noera Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1905, although it 
had been in business as the Noera Company for many years. Its president and 
treasurer is Frank P. Noera, and its secretary is George \V. Seeton. 

The cajMtal is today $75,000, the amount given in the original incorporation 
papers. 

The Noera Company employs 275 hands, making all kinds of hardware spe- 
cialties, bicycle and auto sundries, but particularly oil cans, of which its output 
is very heavy. 

Its new factories were erected in 191 1 and 1912 and the larger brick building 
was j)ut up in i<>i5 and 1916. In 1917 storage buildings have been added to 
the plant. 

THE geni-:ral manufacturing company 

The (General Manufacturing Company was organi7,ed in 1909 with a capital 
of $10,000 and the following officers in charge: President. John Draher ; secre- 
tary, Charles F. Probst; treasurer. Max Kiessling. 

In 1915 the capital was increased to $40,000 and Charles II. Swenson suc- 
ceeded to the position of secretary. 

In 1917 the officers remain as above, with Miller P. Dayton as vice president. 

The (lencral Manufacturing Company employs abotit seventy-five people, 
and its specialty is the manufacture of rivets, screws, and steel balls. 

The company began business in 1907, two years I)efore its incorporation, and 
erected its first buildings on Brown Street in 191 1 and 1912. Its plant was 
greatly extended in 1913 and HJ14. 

THE AMERICAN FASTENER COMPANY 

Tlie American Fastener Company was organized in November, 191 5, with 
a capital of $24,000, and with Charles Josephson, of New York, as president ; 
John Draher, of the General Manufacturing Company, as treasurer, and Max 
Kiessling. al.so of the General Manufacturing Com]>any, as secretary. 



WATERDUR^' AXD THE XAL'GATUCK NALIJ'A' 223 

This company nianufaclures prt-ss hulttms and Mr. Kiessling is the inventor 
of the machine used in manufacturing them. The concern employs twelve people 
and Mr. KiessHng has d(>ne much toward de\eluping the automatic machines 
used by this comjiany, as well as those used hy the (jeiu-ral Company. Its 
factory was erected in 1915. 

THE SIMON.SVII.I.K M AN UF.\CTUKI NG rOMr.X.VV 

The Simonsville Manufacturing Company, located on Pearl Lake Road near 
Tracy Avenue, was incorporated in July. 1916, for $25,000. It has leased its 
present site and has increased its capacity by adding a 40 by 20 addition to the 
older 60 by 20 building. Its president is Charles W. Roller; secretary, George 
Carney ; treasurer, Roderick Perrault. The business was begun by these officers 
in 1915 as a partnership to manufacture Diamond brass pai)er fasteners. These 
are much like the old McGill fasteners, except that they have the diamond point. 
The company also manufactures tools and does much other novelty work. 

THE W.ATERP.URV MliTAI. V^ARI'S CO.MPANV 

The Waterbury Metal Wares Company was incor|>orated (Jctoljer 23, 1915, 
for $50,000, and in November opened its factory on Jackson Street for the manu- 
facture of specialties in brass and other metals, its main outjuit being lighting 
fixtures. The president of the company is L. W". Andersen ; secretary, V.. W. 
Andersen. The position of treasurer is at present \acant. 

THE SOMERS COMP.\NV. I.\C. 

' The Soiners Company. Incorporated. w;is established in KJ15 and incorporated 
in 1916 with a capital of $50,000. It manufactures thin gauges of sheet brass in 
its factory at 94 Baldwin Street. The officers are : Robert D. Somers. president, 
who is also, vice president and general manager of the Waterbury Rolling Mills ; 
Louis J. -Somers. secretary ; Joseph E. Somers. treasurer. 

THE CONNFXTICUT M .\N I'l- .\CTl-RI.\l ; COMP-VXY 

The Connecticut Manufacturing Company was incorporated December 29, 
1909, with C. H. Swenson. president and treasurer, and John Swenson as secre- 
tary. It established a plating plant which was. however, discontinued when 
Mr. Swenson went with the General Manufacturing Company, of whicli he is now- 
one of the principal officials. 



CHAPTER XVIII 
CLOCKS, WATCHES, PIXS, NEEDLES, HOOKS AND EYES 

THE WATERBURY CLOCK COMl'A.W THE BEGINNINGS OF THE "INGERSOLL" WATCH 

FROM THE "jUMBO" TO THE SMALL "DOLLAR" WATCH MAKING ITS OWN 

CRYSTALS — R. H. INGERSOLL & BROTHER BUY THE NEW ENGLAND WATCH COM- 
PANY PLANT THE STORY OF THE "LONG WINd" WATERBURY WATCH THE LUX 

CLOCK MANUFACTURING COMPANY THE AMERICAN PIN COMPANY ITS PLANT 

ITS NEW BUn.DINGS SINCE IQCO THE OAKVILLi; COMPANY AND ITS EXTEN- 

SIONS^OFFICLM.S OF THE BIG PIN COMPANIES. 

Clock-making on a large scale in Waterbury was formerly a branch of the 
business of the Benedict & I'urnham .Manufacturing Company. On March 27, 
1857, this was made a separate concern under the title of the W'aterbury Clock 
Company, with a capital of $60,000. 

It grew rapidly and secured larger quarters on North Elm Street in 1873. 
.\rad W. VV'elton, the first president, was succeeded by Charles Benedict, at 
whose death in 1881 G. W. Burnham became president. He died in 1885 and 
Henry L. Wade, who had been secretary from 1871, was elected president, with 
Irving H. Chase as secretary. Both continued in the business until 191 2, when 
Mr. Wade died and Mr. Chase became president, with William J. Larkin as 
secretary. The factory has been vastly enlarged and the num1)er of employes 
greatly increased. The company manufactures every kind of clock, and in many 
designs. The output of its glass factory is now 2J/2 tons of glass per day and 
this department alone employs 300 people. The total employes in 1887 were 300; 
in 1917 they are over three thousand. The capacity is now 23,000 timepieces 
daily. 

The buildings are all of mill construction. The company manufactures its 
own electricity and uses electric ])ower group drive for motors. It has established 
a large experimental department in which men are continuously employed. The 
company now nmnufactures about seven hundred different styles of clocks, 
watches, and special features of timepieces. It has recently erected a new 
factory, 70 by no feet, six stories and basement, made of reinforced concrete, 
and equipi)ed with s])rinkler system. The work benciies of the company. |)laced 
end to end, would extend over seven miles. 

The Ingersoll "dollar" watch has much to do with the great success of the 
W'aterbury Clock Company. In 1899, the officers of the company conceived the 
idea of putting upon the market a watchcase with a clock movement and small 
enough to lie carried in an overcoat pocket. It was sold for $1.50, was an inch 
and a half in thickness, and nearly three inches in diameter. It wound up like 
an alarm clock. It was called the "Jumbo" and a considerable sale was worked 
uj) on it. In 1893 Robert H. Ingersoll was running a small store on Fulton 
.Street, New York, which he had opened in 1877 for the sale of rubber stamps 
and novelties. He happened to see a "Jumbo" in a jeweler's window, realized 
;dmost immediately what publicity could accomplish in the sale of what now 

224 




(H'h'K I (ii nil w n'i;KKi R^ ( loi k ((l.Ml■.\^^ . \\A'ria;r.ri;v 



\\ATF.Rr,L"RV AXl) THE XAL'GATUCK N'AIJ.EY 225 

seems a cunibersonu- timepiece, but then had all the earmarks of a successful 
invention. 

Mr. Ingersoll came to W'aterbury, and after a thorough investigation placed 
an order for 188,000 improved Jumbos. He sold all of them, and in the following 
year his order was for 300,000. By this time the idea of a smaller watch had 
taken possession of his inventive mind, and improvements followed so quickly 
that l)y 1910 the VVaterbury Clock Company was delivering to R. H. IngersoU 
& Bro. 3,500,000 of the "dollar watches'' every year. The output today in the 
Waterbury Clock Company of these watches runs over 12,000 a day. This means 
that there are always 168,000 of these watches in the timing racks, for no watch 
is turned out until it lias had at least a two weeks' "timing" test. Robert H. 
IngersoU in 1901 sold 1,000,000 of the watches to Symonds' London stores. 
This started the present world-circling sale of the "dollar" watch. 

As a result of the constantly e.xpanding sale of this cheap, practical timepiece, 
the Waterbury Clock Company has had its most phenomenal growth since 1900. 
In that year it Iniilt twn tive-story brick factory additions, one 34 by 88 feet, the 
other 40 by 1 14 feet. In 1901 it added three additional factories, each five stories 
and respectixely 34 by 88, 40 by 1 14, and 44 by 70. In 1904 and iqo-, it added five 
buildings to the plant. ( )ne of these was the brick boiler house, another the engine 
house. One of the new factory buildings, of brick and heavy mill construction, 
measures 43 by ii(). The other i\ve story brick measures 43 by 104. Approxi- 
mately $125,000 was expended for new l)uildings in this period. 

In 1907 and 1908 it had again outgrown its capacity and added a five stoiy 
factory, size 40 by 17'). In ujoi) ;uiil ujio it expended a])proximately $100,000 
on further additions. 

The Waterbury Clock Company is prol)ably the onlv concern of its kind thai 
has a factory for making its own watch crystals. 

In 1914 after the outbreak of the war the Waterbury Clock Company found 
itself shut off from its German and Swiss glass crystal sources. It was typical 
American enterprise that started a factory to meet this need and had it in full 
blast by May, 19 15. The company is making about five hundred gross, or 72,000 
crystals daily now. A new se\en story factory now being erected is for use in 
the making of watch crystals, and this means that the supplv will l)e greatlv 
increased in 1918. 

The entire watch output of the \\ aterbury Clock Company is sold to Robert 
M. IngersoU & Brother. This is the world-famous IngersoU watch. 

lt< capital stock is today ,$4,ooo,oo<i. 

RllI'.HRr H. TXr.l'.RSor.L .\.\D P.ROTHER 

Like the Waterbury Clock Company, the Waterbury Watch Coniiiany, later 
the New England Watch Comjiany and now an integral part of the Robert H. 
IngersoU & Brother organization, was a department of the Benedict & Burnham 
Manufacturing Company. It soon outgrew its quarters in the parent plant, in 
which it had done business for two years, and in 1880 was organized as a new 
C(jrporation, the Waterljury Watch Com|iany. with a capital of $400,000. The 
factory completed in May. 1881. is the present site on Dover .Street. Among its 
llrst directors were Charles Benedict. Gordon W. Burnham, Charles Dickinson. 
George Merritt. Edwin A. Locke and D. A. A. Buck. 

It was through the ingenuity of D. A. A. Buck that the watch long known 
to the country as the "long-wind Waterbury" was placed on the market. This 
\\a^ finallv withdrawn in iSgi and .a perfected short-wind watch was introduced. 



226 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VAELEY 

Tn i88S Augustus S. Chase succeeded Charles Dickinson as president and 
remained in this office until his death in 1896. In this year, 1896, Arthur O. 
lennings was secretary and Edward L. Frisbic treasurer. At this period it 
(■in]iloyed 400 hands. 

In 1898 the Waterbury Watch Company became the New England Watch 
Company with a capital of $600,000. Its president was E. L. P'risbie, and its sec- 
retary and general manager was A. O. Jennings. It was then making a special 
drive on the " Elfin" watch, the smallest time piece made in America, and on the 
"Ilyde," which was in competition with the dollar watch. 

By 1906 it had increased its capital to $750,000 and its president was George 
L. White, its vice president E. L. Frisbie. Jr., its secretary William H. White 
and its treasurer A. O. Jennings. 

Competition now became so keen that the comiKiny was ha\ing a hard time 
to make ends meet. Its cheap watch, successful for a time, could not stand u]) 
under the long, hard struggle for permanent trade. 

The capital had been increased to $1,000,000, but the sale of stock failed to 
help the project and application for a receiver was made on July 17, 1912. 
Harris Whittemore and John P. Elton were named as receivers. 

In November, 1914, when the building and plant, which had been inventoried 
at $325,000, were to be sold by court order, R. H. Ingersoll & Brother, who had 
their main plant at Trenton, N. J., announced that they were ready to bid for it. 

The city entered the combat, thinking to use the building as a Technical High 
.School. Jhe belief was general that the plant was to be dismantled and the 
machinery moved to Trenton. Charles H. Ingersoll, secretary and treasurer of 
this company, then announced that the Ingersolls would at once put the plant 
into condition for operation and would be turning out from 1,000 to 2,000 w-atches 
daily within a year. 

The Chamber of Commerce and llu- hoard of Aldermen both recei\ed this 
pledge, on the strength of which the Ingersoll bid of $7Ci,ooo was accepted on 
November 25, 1914. 

This company has more than ke])t its ]>romise. Ju 1917 it is employing 700 
people, has a weekly pay roll, of over ten thousand dollars, and the output of 
watches is reaching 1.500 a day. The company is now making w'hat it terms the 
"Ingersoll-W'aterburv" watcii, thus reviving the old name with a ]3erfectcd time- 
piece. 

The recei\ership of the old company was finally ended on January 7, 1916. 

The I>annatyne Watch Company was incorporated for $100,000 in Novem- 
ber, 1905. with Franklin Farrcl, Jr., of Ansonia, president; George E. Bryant, 
tteasurer; .\rchibald Bannatyne, secretary. Mr. Bannatyne had been long in 
the emi)loy of the Waterbury Clock Company and was the practical man in the 
new concern. Its factory was located at 31 to 37 Canal Street. The company 
discontinued the business in 191 1. It manufactured ])rincipally a watch retailing 
;it Si. 50 and smaller and neater than the original dollar watch, being more like 
tlie improved lines selling at $1.50 and $2.00. Mr. Bannatyne has long been 
regarded as the inventor of the original dollar watch by many people. He was 
master mechanic of the Waterbury Clock Company when the "Jumbo" watch 
was put out. and thinking along this line, decided that if it were manufactured 
in large enough quantities, a small watch in a nickel case with a stem-wind could 
be made at a price which would make it possible to retail it at $1.00. At that 
time he estimated that on an order of 500,000 the manufacturing cost would be 
29 cents each. The preliminary investment required for tools staggered the direc- 
tors, however, and before anything was decided upon, Mr. Ingersoll visited the 




FORMEKLY XKW KN(;LAXI1 W A 1(11 i nMI'AN^ ; Xi i\\ (n i I I'lKD I;', llli: 1 X( : i:i;s(il,L- 
\A"ATK1!HUHV ri.ANI'. (IWXKI) |;V 1;. If. I X( ; KKsnl.L ^ r,l;( r|lli:i: 



WATEKllL'in' A.\l) Jill-; XAL'i.ATUCK \ AI.!.1-:V 227 

faclnr\- with a [n-oiiiiM.- nf a marlsii fur >iich a watch. Jn jjlacing his original orders, 
lie insisted that his name sliouM go on \\\c (hal, wlu-re it has remained to this day. 

The old "long wind" \\aterliur\ watch, on which 1). A. A. I'.uck took out 
tweKe ])atents from iNji; to 1XS3, wa> the pioneer cheai) watch. It had what was 
at that time a tremendons sale, allhoitgh its retail price was $3.50. It was not 
only the fa\orite hoy's watch Imt the rough-and-tumble watch of hundreds of 
thousands of men. Its tick was heai'd round the world and had made W'ati'rljury 
famous. \\'h\- was it not the \\aterliur\ watch that dexeloped into a dollar 
watch' Why diil the W'ati'rhury t'lock c(jmpany seize the idea which wouM 
lia\e ■>.i\ed the W'aterhur) Watch ( ompany from liquidation? 

i'lie \\'aterl)ur\ watch ct-ased to he an attractive no\elty hecau^e of its long 
wind, which was a favorite joke of \aude\ille performers and newspaper humor- 
ists, and the conipanv came to tin- conclusion in iScji that clieaji watclies were 
onlv a passing novelty. It was decided lo manufacture medium grade watclies 
and for fear the cheapness cjf the W aterlmry watch would cling to the new- 
product, the name of the c(iipor,ition was ch.mgcd to The Ww kaigland \\ ati'h 
L'oiupam. I'hus the factory entered upon the experiment of starling in new 
fields, already well occupied, without .111 estahlished reputation. It is easy to 
assert that the W'aterbury watch i-oidd ha\e lieen at that time both improved in 
quality and reduced in price :m<l made a commercial success. All we know i- 
that eight years later the \\aterlnn-\ (lock Company made the attenq)! and won. 

It has often Ijeen tJKiUght that the company's change of name was unfor- 
tunate. In 11)13 t'l"-' receivers considered the question of re-assuming it on tin- 
theory that after the lapse of more than twenty years it would he an asset as 
a trademark. The same idea was suggested to Charles II. lnger,s(dl after his 
])urchase of the factorv and result<-d in one of the new products being christened 
the Ingersoll-W aterlmry. 

THI-: LfX CLOCK .M.WUl'.VCTI-KIXl, l.o.Ml'-\XV 

Paul Lux started the Lux Clock C'om]iany in a small sho]i on luist I'arms 
Street in March. 11)14. J" i''Ls '^ 'i''*! outgrown its quarters and moved into ;i 
large loft in Printers' Court. In jamiary. 1917, it was incorporated as The Lux 
Clock Manufacturing Company w ith .1 capital of $50,000 and took larger quarters 
at Ji Harrison Street. Its officers are: President, Paul Lux; vice president, 
Michael Keeley ; secretary, A. 11. llauser; assistant secretary, Pleriuan Lux; 
assistant treasurer, P'rederick Lux. Tlie company manufactures clock mo\-e- 
ments. 

Tin; I'lX eo.MIWNIES 

It was in w-hat may be called the segregation of its industries and in the 
developiuent as separate orgai-iizations of what were to begin with Ijranches of 
])arent branches, that much of the great success of \\'aterhur\- manufactures 
lies. 

The pin industry is the earliest and u-iost striking illustration of this. This 
began in \\'aterburv originally as a branch of the Benedict & Burnhan-i Manu- 
facturing Company, and became a distinct organization in 184(1, as the .Ameri- 
can Pin Cornpany. The invention by Chauncey O. Crosby of a machine for stick- 
ing pins on paper led to the formation in 1852 of the Oakville Cornpany. Tin- 
contest over the Crosby patent, which was claimed to be an infringenient of the 
.American Pin Company's "goose neck" ])atent device for sticking pins, was the 



228 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

foundation of the Oakville Company's success. In this the courts upheld the 
Qakville Company. After this controversy, the two companies developed along 
thoroughly harmonious lines. 

The American Lin Company was incorporated in November, 1846, and the 
incorporators were Adam Benedict, G. W. Burniiam, Henry Bronson, J. S. 
Mitchell, jr., Bennett Bronson, Charles Benedict, Benjamin DeForest, John 
DeForest.'j. C. Booth, A. W. Welton, D. F. Maltby, Lhilo Brown, J. P. Elton, 
Ambrose Ives, James 15rown, P. W. Carter and S. B. Minor. The American Pin 
Company was organized with a capital stock of $50,000. The business was a 
feeder for the wire mills. 

Nelson Hall became the secretary, treasurer and manager of the business in 
January, 1847, and continued as manager until Theodore L Briggs became 
treasurer on the 24th of January, 1865. On the 24th of December, 1866, he was 
made secretary and treasurer and was made president and treasurer on January 
24, 1888. while George A. Driggs succeeded to the position of secretary. Theodore 
I. Driggs continued in the presidency until June 28, 1893, when A. M. Blakesley 
was elected his successor and continued from January 30, 1894, until his death 
in October, 1908, when George A. Driggs became president and treasurer. He 
had previously been secretary and treasurer for fifteen years and upon his elec- 
tion to the presidency W. R. Willetts was elected secretary, continuing until 
February 6. 1913, when he in turn was succeeded by \\'. \V. Bowers. 

It was a considerable period after the organization of the company before 
the president became an active factor in the management of the business, and 
the first president after the incorporation in 1846 was Lhilo Brown. The presi- 
dents of Holmes, Booth & Haydens, of the Waterbury Brass Company, of the 
Brown Comiijany and of the Benedict and Burnham Company served in turn but 
were not active in control of the business until Theodore L Driggs became presi- 
dent on the 24th of January, 1888. On the 6th of February, 1913, Fred E. Bart- 
lett became vice president, with H. B. Jenkins as assistant secretary. On the 2d 
of February, 1914, the same officers were chosen save that T. I. Driggs was 
elected assistant treasurer. On the 2d of February, 191 6, Gordon W. Burnham 
became a director, together with John P. Elton, H. B. Jenkins, T. L Driggs, Geo. 
A. Driggs, Harris Whittemore, F. E. Bartlett. W. W. Bowers and John 
Booth Burrall. In February, 1916, T. I. Driggs was elected general manager as 
well as assistant treasurer. 

The business was originally located on East Main Street, where the Loli 
Theater now stands, but was removed in 1894 to Waterville in order to secure 
more room. In 1890 the company was doing a business of about one hundred 
and fifty thousand dollars per annum. Today the business of the corporation 
amounts to $3,000,000 per annum. 

The plant covers 50 acres of ground, and the factory comprises 7 buildings, 
4 stories in height with basement. One building is 250 by 50 feet, another 160 by 
(X) feet, a third 150 by 35 feet, a fourth 33 by 40 feet, and a fifth 60 by 150 feet. 
There is also a i -story building 80 by 100 feet and another 80 by 150 feet. They 
employ 900 people, 35 per cent of whom are skilled operatives. Forty per cent 
of the employes are women. 

The company manufactures notions and brass goods, safety pins and hooks 
and eyes. The plant is operated by steam and electric power. Automatic 
processes have been developed and the output, under the name of the American 
Pin Company, is sold all over the world. 

Its construction work for the past seventeen years is the best evidence of its 
\ast growtk 




I'.KXEDK T A i;i i;\ii.\\i \i \\i I \( I riiiM. 1 i>\irA\\ . w \ i i,i;i;i l;^ 




I'LAXT (»F THK WATKKIili; V .\l.\NTFArTrHIX(; COMPAXV. WATI'.i; l!ll:\ 



\\'A'|■^:Rl;L■k^■ and riii-; \Ai(,ArL:cK \ m.i.ia- 229 

In 1900 it ert-ctfd iIk- 4->lijr_\ ccntr;il factory, 40 hy 192. ai a cost of $J5,oou. 
Jii 1902 it added the 4-story lirick factory, 40 liy j,(). at a cost of $23,000. In 
1903 the new foundry Iniilding, 1 -story brick, (« l)y 02, was ]iut up in VVater- 
ville at a cost of ,*f 15.000. In 1904 the casting sho]), 02 by 120, was added to the 
Watcr\iHc plant. This was followccl in 1905 witii a 2-story brick addition 53 
by 1(12 and in ii)<j<i with iht' large 4-slory brick, 33 Ijy 257. and the wing, iS 1)\- 
23, which was juit up at a cost of ,S')2,o(h). In mioj and ii)io the 2-story lirick 
buildings, 15 by Jt, and iS l)y 2t,. were added to the plant. In 191 5 it further 
increased its working pl.int liy ;i :-story brick binlding containing S.85.S square 
feet. 

The Oak\ille Coni]iany, organized in 1S52 by ( neene Kendrick with a capital 
stock of S33.(K)(), has grown to 1)e one of the largest organizations of its kind iti 
the country. 

l-'roni the start of ,1 few low Imililings. the growlh has been \'er\ satisfactory, 
a.s the plant now consists of se\eral Ijrick Iniildings. ranging from one to live 
stories in height. The \arious departments are equipped with the latest and most 
appro\ed auloniatic wire machines, and all needed ajipliances operated by either 
steam, electricity or w.ater, and lighted li\ electricit\ su|iplied b\' ihe company's 
<iwn electric plant. 

Its construction work has kept i>ace with the growth ot its business. In i<)(X) 
two additions of brick, one 4 stories, 40 by 45, and the otln'r 2 stories, 35 by O5. 
were put up. In 1905 the 4-story brick, ^2 by 92, and a 1 -story brick, 18 by 81. 
were added, in 1907 and 1908 the two 4-story lirick buildings, 38 by 200, and 
40 by 200, were added, thus giving them most of the present large frontage on 
the main road. In ii)0<) and 1910 the 5-story brick Iniilding, 30 b\ 25 1 , was .'i<ided, 
and in i<)ifi the latest 5-story was put up, the most modern of all the equipment. 

It now em])lDys about one thousand hands, of whom 40 ])er cent are women. 

It has done some line work in the way of securing imjirox'ed housing condi- 
tions for its employes and has built UK.xlel homes, both for workmen and clerical 
help. Ten cjf these smaller homes are now imder i-onstruction. 

I'disha Leaxenworth succeeded to the presidenc\- on the death of lost-ph C 
W'elton in 1874. His successor was K. C. Lewis, who was succeeded by |. 1 [obart 
lironson, who still occupies that position. .\lr. Uronson succeeded Nathaniel 
11. I'erry as secretary and general manager in 1877. becoming president on Novem- 
ber 18. itpi. .\t that time Walter Place was secretary and the directors were 1. 11. 
Rronson. Elisha Leavenworth, J. S. Elton, H. S. Chase and I. .\. Smith. 

The present directors are: H. S. Chase, W. E. Fulton, J. R. .'-imith. Truman 
S. Lewis, Cieorge Boden, J. Hobart Rronson. Its jiresent officers are: I. llobart 
ISronson, president and treasurer; vice president. Henrv S. Chase; assistant 
treasurer, Bennett Bronson; secretary, George Boden. 

Its capitalization is $600,000. 

In 1909 there were employed in the L'nited States 4.<)7<> hands in the pin. 
needle and hook and eye business of the country. Waterbury and Torrington 
together are credited with nearly half of these employes. The proportion has not 
been reduced since that time. The three concerns in Waterbury. the American 
}'in Company, the Oakw-ell Company and Plumie & Atwood, manufacture con- 
servatively estimated, one-half of all the pins and safety pins made in the L'nited 
States, fully as large, if not an e\en larger percentage, of hooks and eyes and 
some needles. Needles arc also made at Torrington in the Naugatuck A'allev. 



chaitI':r XIX 

MACllIXl'. SIIOI'S AXI) I'OL'XDRIES 

riirc WATIiUBURV I'ARREL FOUXDRV & MAfHINlC COMPANY THE WATERliURY 

MACHINE COMPANY THE E. J. MANVIl.LE MACHINE COMPANY THE BLAKE & 

JOHNSON COMPANY ^THE WATERBURY TOOE COMPANY — THE LUDINGTON CIG- 
ARETTE MACHINE COMPANY THE ROWBOTTOM MACHINE COMPANY ANDREW 

C. CAMi'BEI-L, INC. HENDERSON BROTHERS — SEVMOCR SMITH & SON — THE 

MANUFACTURERS FOUNDRY COMPANY ^THE WATERBURY CASTINGS COMPANY 

THE METAL SPECIALTIES COMPANY THE ATLAS MACHINE COMPANY — WATER- 
BURY STANDARD TOOL AND MACHTNE COMPAN^' — WATERBURY PRESSED METAL 
AXD TOOL COMPANY. 

The plant .of the present W'alerbury l*"arrel hOiinclrv ilv .Machine Company 
was started in 1851. and in 1857 was conducted in connection with the Ansonia 
l-'oundrv under the name of the Farrel Foundry iS: Machine Company, and so 
continued until 1880, when the Parrels sold out. In the latter year the present 
company was organized as the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company, 
with E. C. Lewis as president, W'nL F. Fulton as secretary, and (leorge 11. T,ani- 
har as su]>erintendent. 

The men at the head of affairs have been with the company for many years. 
William F. l'"uIton is president, David C. Griggs secretary and William S. Fulton 
is treasurer. Its capital is $440,000. 

It has constructed eleven factory buildings on its present site since 1900. In 
igoi a four story brick factory building 48 by 196 was erected. In 1902 the three 
story brick and steel factory 47 by 194 was put up. It has built additions nearly 
every year, those in the jieriod from 191 5 to 191 7 summing up approximately 
S 1 50,000. 

The Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company designs and builds rolling 
mill machinery, for brass, copper, and German silver, brass tube and wire 
machinery, hydraulic presses, power presses, drop presses, foot presses, cartridge 
and special inachinerv. and ri\et machines for making automatically rivets, bolts 
and screw blanks. 

In the two plants it now employs about eight hundred hands. 

Edward C. Lewis, formerly president of the Waterbury Farrel i'oundry ^: 
Machine Company, was one of the best known manufacturers in this section. Ik- 
came to Waterbury in the early '50s to manage the branch of what was then 
known as the .\nsonia I'arrel Foundry & Machine Company. He died October 
J4, Kjoi and at that time was a director in the Dime Savings Bank, one of the 
original jjrojectors of the Manufacturers 15ank, president of the Oakville Com- 
pany, a director in the Benedict & Burnham Com])any, the I'lume & .\twood Com- 
pany and the Holmes. Booth & Haydens Company. 

THE WATKKnURV .M.XCIII.Ni; (()MPAN\ 

The \\ aterbury .Machine Company, reorganized in 18S5. capital $60,000. was 
originally located in ( )akvillc, and was moved to Waterbury in i8<)i. In 1893 

230 



WATERBURV AND THE XAUGATUCK \ ALI.i'A' 2:J1 

its officers were William !•'.. I'uhun. president; (_ieurge U. Lamb, treasurer; K. S. 
\\ otkvns. secretary. In iiji i it was taken o\er as an adjunct corporation of the 
Waterbury Parrel Fomi(lr\ X: Machine Company, the [slants being operated under 
one management and with identical (jutputs. li has. h(.)we\er. still a separate cor- 
porate organization. .\t present un its old site the twci com]i;uiies are jnitting up 
a large extension with a two story front on Hank Street, and a one story build- 
ing on .Meadow Street. Its capital remains at .S'xi.ooo. 

Its officers at present are: President. W'illi.am \i. b'ulton ; secretars. William 
J.). Pierson ; treasurer. W'illi.am S. b'ldton. 

The compan_\- manufactin-e- auti.im.itic machines of gre.at ingenuit\ . such as 
automatic machinery fur ni.iking hinges and butts. The ni.achines for making 
screw blanks and nut blanks are particularly com[)lete and slmw the arh.ancc that 
has been made in the wa\ i.if .uitomatic devices. 

'rin-: f. i. .m a.wii.i.i-; m.\( iiixf, (().\^'\.\^ 

The E. I. .\l.in\ille .Machine C ompany was established bv EH |. .\lan\ille Sep- 
tember 15. 1S7S. lie in\ented \arious machines, of which the best known are 
the planer and shaper called the "Hendey." the cold reducing machine to reduce 
the size of wire, which brcjught into existence the b'.xcelsior Xecdle (.Ompany of 
Torrington. and the safety pin machine, the building of which was the starting 
|iiiint of the K. I. -Main illc Machine C'ompan\. Mr. M.nuille was the president 
of the comi.>any imtil hi^ ileath in iSSo. 

( )n ' 'ctober d. iSSd. the concern was incor|ior.ited. capital .Sj.s.'Xio. with E. |. 
M:unille as president, which jMisititin he held onh' twent\-four da\s : 1\. ('. Man- 
ville. treasurer ; W. W. Manxille, secretary, .and 1\ 1'.. Manville. 1". |, Manville 
•and ( i. II. Man\ille. directors. 

In lS(/i the Man\illes sold (jut and Martin H, Urennan became president an<l 
manager, with 1'. T. Hart as treasurer. Charles T. I'.renn.an is now secretary 
and superintendent. Its capital now is Sioo.ooo. 

The company is now extinsi\ely engaged in making direct-.icting. ilouble 
stroke, solid die cold heading .and bolt machines, the bolt he.nl trimming machines, 
threail rolling machines and the automatic Duplex belt-cutting machine. The 
M;ni\ille Company designed .all the autumatic m,achiner\- fcjr the I'ord .Automo- 
bile Company. 

The original factory was on I'.enedict Street. The coniii.an)- removed to Meadow 
Street in ii^8f'i, and in ii)04 to the present location, where they ha\e a frontage of 
.^00 feel on E.ast Main Street, with a depth of 325 feet. The buildings are in 
ji.art 2' J stiiries in height and i>artially of sawtooth construction. The factory 
has abiiUl tw(i .acres of fl(](ir sp.ace. ;nid emiiloys T^cny people, mosth skilled 
machinists. 

In H)0_| the Manxille C'ompanx put up li\e of its factiir\ buildings. Extensions 
were ni.ade in l<;lo and li)l-|. .\d<litional construction work is nnw going on. 

THK i;l..\Ki-; & joii.xsox e■o.Ml^\^•^■ 

Blake & Johnson, which was organized on February 17. 1852. with a capital of 
$8,000, is one of the historic industrial concerns of the city, with an unbroken 
record <jf success. In i8<)4 it was located on East Alain Street and its officers 
were: {'resident .and treasurer. ( )r\ille II. Ste\ens ; secretary. R. R. .Stannard. 
C )n Xoxember 17. i8()4. Mr. .Ste\ens died and James S. Elton succeeded to the 



232 W WTEKBURY AND THE XAl'C.ATUCK \^\I.I.EY 

presidency and Mr. Stannard to the treasurership. The directors were then I". J. 
Kinfj^sbiiry, Janies S. Elton, C. N. Wayland, and 1\. R. Stannard. 

in 1898 Erankhn A. Taylor became secretary, remaining until October 10, 
1899, when he resigned to join the Randoph & Clowes forces, Robert P. Lewis 
succeeding him. In 1899 Mr. Stannard succeeded to the presidency, which posi- 
tion he held until his death, January 4, i(/)6. John P. Elton succeeded to the 
presidency, which position he still holds. In 1914 Lancaster P. Clark was made 
secretary and general manager. In January, 1917, Charles E. Stevens, son of 
its former president, became secretary, which position he still holds. Mr. Clark 
is now treasurer and general manager. 

On May 3, 1906, Blake & Johnson changed its name to The ISlake & Johnson 
Company. On January 30, 1908, its capital was increased to $120,000. On 
I'cbruary 3, 1914, it was again increased to $200,000. 

The company o{>erates two plants. Its manufacturing division is located at 
1495 Thomaston ,\venue, where its output is rivets, screws, studs, nuts, wire 
forms, cotter pins, screw machine products, piano, organ and player hardware, 
and specialties from wire and rod. 

In its machinery division at 173 North lilm Street it makes threaders for roll- 
ing threads, headers for making rivets, presses, grinders, slitters and formers for 
wire forming. 

It employs about four hundred hands. 

The Blake & Johnson Company erected its new plant at Watcrville in 1909. 
This consists of a factory building of brick and concrete construction, 200 by 260 
feet in size, one story with basement, and a power plant, also of brick and con- 
crete, one story and basement 50 by 80 feet in size ; cost $1 50,000. 

It built a two story addition in 1914 and is at present nxaking still further 
inijjrovements. 

TllK W.XTKRIURV TOOL roMTANY 

The Waterbury Tool Company was incorporated in September, 1898, by 
Horace G. Hoadley, who has been its president and treasurer since that time. Its 
capital is ,$280,000. It began building the Universal ratchet drill invented by 
Prof. Harvey D. Williams of Cornell. This was j>erfected by Reynold Janney, 
who has been vice president and chief engineer of the company since 1904. Its 
hydraulic machines for transmitting power at variable si)eeds are now used for 
turret turning, gun-elevating, shell hoists and powder hoists, rammers, main 
steering gear, and to control submarine diving rudders. 

This business was started on the top floor of the factory of the New Britain 
Machine Company in that city. Later the present site on East Aurora Street, 
Waterbury, was bought and a large factory was built. The main building is 120 
by 212 feet, and one of the best equipped structures in the country. 

The company has built for rental to its employes nine one-family frame 
houses on the part of its lo-acre shop site most distant from the present machine 
shop. A 40-foot street has been laid out and the houses built on both sides of it. 
They are of five dissimilar types so that the group does not have the appearance 
of factory houses. They are of five and six rooms, on lots 50 by 120 feet, and 
have city water, bathrooms, hot-air furnaces, electric light and arrangements for 
sewage disposal by means of septic tanks. The company has also built, for rental 
to foremen, on lots 60 by 140 feet, within fifteen minutes' walk of the shop, two 
twin houses with modern improvements. 

The officials of the Waterbury Tool Company are Horace G. Hoadley. presi- 



\VATliRi;L"RV AXD THE XAL'GATUCK NAI.I.l'LV l-'33 

dent and treasurer ; Reynold Janney, vice president and chief engineer ; Charles 
r. Haig-ht, secretary and assistant treasurer, and William S. Wilkinson, superin- 
tendent. 

TIIK Ll'DINlJTOX ( 1(;.\RETTE MA( III.NI-; ( ( I.M I'A X^' 

The Ludington Cigarette Machine Company was incorporated for $30,000 in 
lyoy. Its first officers were Frank J. Ludington, president; l'. E. Ludington. vice 
jjresident, and \'. M. Shaw, secretary. The death of F. J. Ludington occurred 
in the year of the company's organization and his nephew, F. W. Ludington, suc- 
ceeded. At present the officers are F. W. l^udington, president: !■". L'. Camicm. 
vice president, and F. E. Ludington, secretary and treasurer. 

The company manufactures cigarette and tohacco machinery, the basic in\ en- 
tions being the creations of its founder, Frank J. Ludington. These proved epoch- 
making and profitable and the business he created, though at first small, expanded 
rapidly and was eventually incorp(iratcd shortly before his death. From I<p7 
the company occupied first two and later three fioors in the T. 1-". Jackson lofl 
building on Printers' Court, now the Republican lluilding, but by November, uji". 
it had outgrown these quarters and announced its intention of erecting a plant on 
the Watertown Road, next to the New Haven Dairy Company, to consist of one 
long two story and basement factory building. 

On January 31, njij, the company's ca|iital was increased to .S,^50,ooo. 

TIIF. ROWj;uTT(i.\I MAi 1IINI-, i(JNtl'\.\\ 

The Rowbottom Machine Company was organized June 1, ii)02, capital 
.^10.000. Its first officers were George Rowbottom, president; \\". A. Robbins. 
vice president, and Hugh A. Pendlebury, secretary and treasurer. It started in 
a little wooden building as manufacturers of special automatic machinery. In 
1903 it bought a small piece of ground and built a small brick factory. In i(p5 
it built the first large addition, following it in 191 1 with another addition. Jn 
1912 it purchased. the business of the ]\Luu'ille Bros. Company, machinery build- 
ers. Tn 191 5 the company more than doubled all its space, and now has 19,500 
scjuare feet of floor space in mill construction buildings. The company owns three 
acres of ground, and a plant ecjuipixHl with electric power, individual motors and 
sprinkler system. It employs about seventy-five skilled mechanics. 

It has developed automatic machinery of \-arious kinds, including one of the 
first successful machines for making high grade cigarettes, u ith a capacit\- of 450 
per minute, a machine for sewing hooks and eyes on cards, turning out three cards 
of two dozen hooks and eyes per minute; also tube forming machinery, box 
machinery, disc grinding machinery, automatic button machinery, and tube bend- 
ing machinery. It now builds and sells a universal coin milling machine which 
will mill any style of coin. The companv does a large business for the trade in 
milling coins, medals, etc., and their business in this jiarticular co\ers the two 
Americas. 

.WDRILW C. C.X.MI'IIKLL, I Xl OKlMlK.XTl-.l) 

-Xndrew C. Can]i)hell. Inc., was chartered in U)i2, with a cai)ilal of .S5o,txx3. 
The following are the officers: President, Andrew C. Cani|ibrll; secretary W . 
Wheeler ; Treasurer, Walter B. Lasher, of Bridgeport. 



234 WATERBURY AND TMK NAUGATUCK \"ALr,EY 

Mr. Campbell has designed some of the most successfully operated machines 
in America and in 1912 opened his own plant to manufacture his latest machinery 
for the lightning manufacture of the cotter i)in a split ]>in used very extensively, 
es|)ecially in the making of automobiles. 

In 1 91 6 the American Chain Company of Bridgeport, makers of the Weed 
tire chain, needing Mr. Campbell's services, purchased the plant, but operates it 
under the former corporation name. It has recently purchased two adjoining 
lots, and will at once extend the factory erected in 1913 by Mr. Cam,pbell. Mr. 
Campbell is now designing some of the machinery needed in the emergency fleet 
ecjuipnient works of the American Chain Company's plant at Norfolk, Va. The 
output of cotter pins at the Waterbury plant is nearly a million daily. Sixty men 
are employed. 

Mr. Campbell has been a \ery j)rolitic iiuentor, ha\ing taken out thirty-six 
patents from 1880 to 1912. 

The DeLong Company of l'hiladeli>hia contracted with the K. j. Manville 
Machine Company for twenty-two machines to turn out their hooks at higher 
speed. Their last machine was designed by Andrew C. Campbell and turned out 
240 "see that hump" hooks per minute. The model or first machine was run at 
300 hooks per minute and was the fastest machine of the kind in the world. 
The adjustable treadle, made by the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Com- 
jjany for its presses was the invention of .'\, C. Campbell and is still ]nU out with 
the firm's presses. 

The machine put out by the E. J. Manxille Machine Company for a special 
assembling operation on shoe shanks was a Campbell invention. The E. J. Man- 
\ille Machine Company's double stroke header, which has been the biggest kind 
of a money-maker and time saver, was also a Campbell invention. The same firm 
also made the machine designed by Campbell for making bicycle nipples, .\fter 
an infringement fight in which the Manville Company won out, this patent was 
sold to the Excelsior Needle Company of Torrington. The Manville success with 
screw slotting machines began with the machines designed by Mr. Campbell. 

Andrew C. Campbell also designed for John Granger of Philadelphia the 
machine to make the "Granger" dress hook. It is able to turn out the hooks at 
the rate of 150 per minute. 

The ball heading machines which turns out 125 balls per minute were designed 
b\' Campbell, and are in use all over the country. 

ni;.\i3i:R.sc)N nK( ini kus 

llenderson Brothers, machinisls, organized in 1880 with John and .Me.xander 
1 lenderson as lirm members. Ten years later the business was reorganized under 
the name of Henderson & Baird Company, with John Henderson, Thomas Hen- 
derson and Joseph II. Baird as incorporators, and with a ca))ital of $20,000. In 
1884, it removed to 133 South Leonard Street, where the company has two build- 
ings, one of which is two stories in height and the other one story. With the 
withdrawal of Mr. Baird partnership relations were resumed. The company is 
now engaged in the manufacture of patent elevators and tumbling barrels, the 
latter being the invention of John Henderson. .Miout twenty i)eople are employed. 

THE SEYMOUR .SMITH & SON. IN(.'()RPOR.\TED 

The Seymour Smith & Son (Inc.) of Oakville was incorporated December 
31, 1912, capital $25,000. succeeding Seymour Smith & Son. established in 1872. 



WATMRBURY AND TMP: NAL:GATUCK \A1.I.EV 2:35 

Seymour Smith, the fuuiider of tlir husiiicss, had one >on, Wilham II., who 
became the associate and afterwai'd the .Mieees>ur of his father, continuin.t,' the 
business of niamif.LCtitriiijL; iniinini;- ini|ilenients of \arioiis kinds and descripticjiis 
which are lari,'ely sent t(j a foreign lield. It em|>|o\s tliirt\- hands. 

The present officers .are Willi.im II. Smith, presiilent ; I'dl.i R. Smith, secre- 
tary, and < ieorijc II. Smith, treasurer. 

Ilil': MA.XI l.\( IlKI-.ks l-llf.\IIK\ lO.Ml■.\.\^ 

'I he Alanufactitrers h'oundry l.om])any was incorporated in |antiar\, t(;(;o. 
with a capital of $io,exjo. Its first officers were: I'resident, Henry D. Ileach; 
secretary and manager, Edward W. Beach; treastirer, ( harles ]•'. I'.roiison. I'^rom 
the outset, its s|)ecial castinjjs for chemical work t;a\e it a re[iutation throut,dioitt 
the east. It is now luakini; exclttsix ely hii,di i;r;ide motor c\lindei' casliniis for 
autos and aeroplanes. 

In l<;05 its capital had been incieased to S50.1X lo ,ind its officers were: ( ieori^e 
W". LJeach. president; h'dw.ird W. i'.e.ach. secrt'tary and treasurer; I-. C. l'"romm, 
assistant treasurer. In the follow int^ year .Mr. h'romm became treasiu'er. 

In |i)08 the capital was increased to .'f ic)C),cx:x), and in imoi) the olficers were: 
S. H. IIo|)kins, president; secretary, lulw.ird W. lieach; treastirer, I-'. C_'. l'~ronim. 

The capital of the comi)any in 11)17 is .S_>cxj,ix)0, and its officers are: I'resi- 
dent, S, \l. Ihipkins; \ ice president, I'.. W . I'>e;ich; secretar\- ;ind treasitrer, l\ C. 
Fromm. 

I'raclically the entire plant h.is been btiilt in the last twehc vc:irs, since it 
moved from its location on I'.enedict ."street to its present site on Kailro.ad 1 1 ill, 
near Eagle Street. It has takiii a number of years to dexelop the gr.ide of gra\' 
iron castings now m;ide exclttsi\el\' In the company. 

In li)04 it erected twn two-story brick buildings, one So by 170 and the other 
-7 ''y .^4- ''1 i')'"i two additions were erected. In l<K)7 and t()OS four steel and 
concrete structures were addeil. In lij(X) .and i<)io one further .addition was 
made. 

In li)t_3 and IMI4 four of its bitildings were ptit up. Some furthei additions 
were made in loiij and 1017. 

TH1-: w,\ti'.riu;ry foi'mdry ( ^M^.\N^• 

The Waterbury Foundry Company was incorporated in 1907 with a capital 
o.f $140,000, taking over the business of B. H. Fry & Company and the factory 
erected by that firm in 1904. Until his death in 191 1, Benj, H. Fry was presi- 
dent of the Waterbury Foundry Company with Arthur A. Tanner, secretarv. 
The latter succeeded to the position of president and treasurer, which he still 
holds. The \ice ]iresident in !<)I7 is John S. Neagle, and the secretary, C. I*". 
Fiedermati. 

Xo barge .additions ha\e been made to the plant since l<jiJ. ;dthough the 
ca[)acity of the foundry h,as bi'en greatly increased by recent impfu-tant alteration^. 

•till-; vv \ I i-.i.;ia-KN' c.v.stinos hiMvasv 

The Waterbury Castings Company was organized in 11)07. |. R. .Smith was 
president : L. A. I'latt, \ice president: C. S. I'.ull, treasurer; and ( ieorge F. (amp, 
secretarv. 



23G WATKRP.URY AND THE XAUGATUCK ^•ALT,EY 

1 lie plant is on Railroad Hill Street and covers four acres. Its capital is 
$100,000. It has a one story foundry of mill construction, with 22,000 square 
feet of floor s])ace. There are 175 employes, of whom 50 per cent are skilled. 
It is a jol)bing foundry with a capacity of twenty-five tons of castings daily. The 
product is sold in Waterbury and to outside points. 

THE MET.\L .SPECI.VLTIKS COMP.WV 

The Metal .Specialties Company was orf^anized June 7. iyi2, capital $25,000, 
with John W. Potter, president; Clark Lewis, treasurer; .\. L. Schwartz, secre- 
tary and general manager; and Cyrus T. Gray, director. 

In October, 1913, Harris \V. Langley became secretary, and with the resig- 
nation of Mr. Potter, Mr. Gray became president in February, 1914. In April, 
1915, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Langley both resigned and H. H. Heminway was 
elected treasurer and Charles Uronson secretary. In February, 191 7, Mr. Hemin- 
way became secretary and treasurer, while Mr. Gray remains as president. 

The company began business at No. 2}^ Jefiferson Street, occupying a part of 
a room on the third floor. In 1915 it took two rooms on the top and on the lower 
floor, and on January 1, 1916, began occupying the entire building. On the ist 
of April, 191 7, it moved into its new building on East Aurora Street. This is 
120 by 190, with an addition 30 by 40 feet, is of sawtooth mill construction, 
equipped with sjjrinkler system and electric power. 

The company manufactures snap buttons, burnishing and bearing balls, special 
rivets, metal novelties, selling to jobbers. It employs sixty to seventy-five people. 

THE ATLAS .MA( HINE COMPAXY 

The .\tlas .Machine Company was incor]>orated in March, 1906, with a capital 
of Sio.ooo, which in 1910 was increased to $50,000. Its officers are : President 
and treasurer, Adam Callan ; secretary, Carlton F. Atwood. 

Its outi)ut consists largely of metal and wire working machinery. 

THt; WATERBURY STA.VDARD TOOL AND MACIIIXI-: (OMPANV 

The Waterbury Standard Tool and Machine Company was incorporated 
Febniary 20, 1913, with a capital of $10,000, its officers being Jeremiah W. 
Phelps, president and treasurer; John B. Doherty. secretary'. It manufactures 
automatic machinery of all kinds, but more especially that used for the making 
of watch parts, and the output is classed among the most perfect in the country. 
The company occupies two floors of its five-story building at 31 Canal Street. 
Mr. Phelps has built up a thriving business, as he is looked upon as one of the 
watch machinery experts of the country. 

TUIC VV,\TEKlit"RY PRESSED METAL .^N'D TOOL COMPANY 

The Waterbury Pressed Metal and Tool Company was incorporated February, 
1916, with a capital of $25,000. Its president and treasurer, Alfred L. Schwartz, 
was for many years general manager and secretary of the Metal Specialty Com- 
pany. The secretary of the new company is Ernest A. .Austin. Its output is tool 
and machine work and all classes of metal stampings. 



CHAPTER XX 
OTHER .MAXL'l'AL-lTJRIXG CURl'ORATloXS 

THE INTERNATIONAL, SILVER CUiMTANV THE AMERICAN MILLS CDMl'ANV THE 

WATERBUEY PAPER BOX COMPANY — THE WHITE & WELLS COMPANY THE KALB- 

FLEISCH CORPORATION THE WATERBURY BATTERY COMPANY — THE WILLIAMS 

SEALING CORPORATION — THE WATERBURY JEWEL COMPANY — THE AUTOYRE COM- 
PANY — THE LANE MANUFACTl^RING COMPANY — WATERVILLE CUTLERY COMPANY 
— THE MORDEN MANUFACTURING; COMPANY — THE II. L. WELCH HOSIERY COM- 
PANY — THE WATERBURY INSTRUMENT COMPANY — THE WATERBURY ICE COR- 
PORATION THE SPRING LAKE ICE COMPANY — THE IIELLMAX BRKWINt; COM- 
PANY THE EAGLE BRICWINc; ((JMPANY FEW MANUFACTURING LOSSES. 

The Bristol Company was organized in uSiSg as a partnership hy W. H., B. H. 
and E. B. Bristol. It was incorporated in 1894 with a capital of $io,fj(X). W. H. 
Bristol was the organizer and founder of the business, and with the exception of 
a short interval has been president since incorporation. The company began to 
manufacture recording steam gauges and steel belt lacing. Business has now 
been expanded to cover every kind of recording instrument, covering over two 
thousand different uses. The in\-ention of Prof. W. H. Bristol formed the basis 
of the Bristol Company's success. He has a record of over one hundred inven- 
tions, all of them in the line of recording instnmients. His electric pvrometer 
is perhaps the most important, llusiness was begun in a little wooden building in 
Platts Mills and since 181)4 additions have from time to time been made to the 
the present factory until the company now has 175,000 square feet of floor space. 
The buildings are from one to six >tories in height, nearly all of mill construc- 
tion, with sprinkler system. 

The company employs over four Inmdred people, all highlv skilled labor. Its 
product is sold all over the civilized world. It has branch offices in Boston, New 
York, Pittsburgh, Chicago, San Francisco and agencies in all foreign countries. 

At the Panamla Exposition in San Francisco the Bristol Company received 
the highest possible award on their whole line. 

The officers are: \\\ H. Bristol, president; Harris Whittemore, treasurer; 
.S. R. Bristol, secretary. 

In 1908 E. H.. B. B. and B. 11. Bristol sold out their interest to the I'.ristol 
Company and mo\ed to b^ixboro. .Mass.. where they established the h'o.xboro 
Company, which is still in business there making recording instruments. 

THE INTERN.\TII).\.\L SILVER C0MPAN\' 

The International Silver Company of Xew jersev in i8(>9 succeeded to both 
Rogers & Brother and the Rogers & Hamilton Company, occupying at the present 
time the Rogers & Brother plant. The Rogers & Hamilton Company's new plant 
on Griggs .Street remained vacant until kk)/ when it was taken o\er by the Noera 
Company. 

237 



238 \\.\TKRr'.URY AXD THE NAl'GATUCK \'AI,LEY 

J^ogcrs & Urolhcr, eslablished in Hartford in 1847, had removed to Water- 
burv in 1858. The Rogers & Hamilton C"omi)any was established with a capital 
of $50,000 l'\'bruary 14, 1886. 

'Plie ])lant is officially known as International Factory Company, Factory J., 
bnt passes locally as "the spoon shop." 1 1 has been greatly enlarged since the 
consolidation and still manufactures the * Rogers & Bro. A-i brand of silver 
])lated ware. These goods are sold all over the world. 

In the Waterburv factory about six hundred hands arc emjjloyed. The secre- 
tary of the International Silver Com])any. (ieorge Rockwell, is general manager 
of the W'aterbury plant. 

I'"()ur buildings have been erected since 1907 and further inijirovements are 
now conteni]ilati-(l. 

THIC .\MEUKA.\ .\I1U.S COMl'.XNV 

The .\nierican .Mills Company, which was organized in 1881, was incorporated 
on .Xovember i(). lyoy, with a capital of $150,000 and with its present executive, 
Archer |. Smith, as president. C^n July 7, iyi4. the business was extended to 
include the New Jlaven Web Company, llamden. C((nn., and the Narrow Fabric 
Cor])oration, New Haven, the capitalization being $1,200,000. 

In the Walerbury plant of the comjjany 250 hands are at jiresent employed. 

Its ofificers are: President, Archer J. Smith; \ice president, V. M. Chambers, 
of New IJaven; secretary, C. B. Twitchell, of New Haven; assistant treasurer, 
1. B. Smith. It manufactures narrow elastic .and non-elastic fabrics, and its 
ir.ule is now worldwide. 

Its largest building in the Waterburv i)lant is just being completed, a two- 
story and basement factory addition, 300 feet long. The building is also to con- 
tain the offices of the company. 

Its newer construction work began in 1904 and in i<;io it put up a large two- 
story and basement brick and steel structure, size (^ by 191, and a one-story brick 
.•iddition. 

Till-; w.\ti;kiu-kv i'.M'kk v.o\ i.omv.\s\ 

l'"or many years the paper box industry has been an important one in Water- 
bury, large numbers of the boxes used for perfumery, cutlery, silverware and 
toilet articles being manufactured here and shipped to the makers of these articles 
elsewhere, as well as druggists' boxes and boxes for the local factories. 

The factory of R. E. Hitchcock & Company was one of the old landmarks of 
Walerbury industrial life. Situated on Canal Street, it gave employment to over 
one hundred people. Mr. Hitchcock was succeeded by his partner and son-in- 
law. Arthur C. Northrop, under who.se regime the business grew and developed 
until some of the finest box work of the country was done in this factory, espe- 
cially the fancy boxes used by leading perfumers for putting up their goods. The 
l)roi)erty passed into the hands of the present owners in 1901 and received its 
present nanle, that of the Waterbury Paper Box Company. Since that time it 
has doubled itself and now employs about two hundred and fifty hands. Its 
ca])ilal was $25,000, increased January 27, 1914, to $50,000. 

A plot of ground on South Leonard Street was secured, and in 1904 a com- 
modious and convenient building, designed esjx'cially to meet the needs, was 
erected. 



WATERUfRV AXl) Till-; XAL^GA'CUCK \ALLEV 23'J 

(Jnc (jf tht' ilc]>artni(;'nts of the Waterbury I'apcr Box Company which has 
always been a very important one is its printing department, which also occupies 
a portion of the office floor. Established in the first place to meet the needs of 
the factory itself, in the way of labels, box tops, etc., the work soon grew and 
(le\eloped until tine job printing became a regular feature of the company's work. 

In 1913 a Oo-foot addition was built, mill construction, giving the company 
a 300-foot frontage. 

Its goods are sold all o\er the I'liited .'"States to perfumery, toilet goods and 
silverware manufacturers. 

Harry H. lleminway is piesideiil, and William H. i'.eers, secretary and 
treasurer. 

TIIK W11TTI-: & WELI.S ((lMr.\i\V 

The \\ bite iS; Wells Com})any was a partnership until 1895, when the third in 
direct descent from the founder of the business, James White, incorporated it 
for $50,000. Its officers were: George L. White, president and treasurer; C. 11. 
\\ bite, vice president ; \V. E. Norris, secretary. 

The factory at Xaugatuck was run in addition to tlie old plant at 214 Hank 
.Street. ' hi December 1, 1914, (jeorge E. White, who had inherited the business 
from his father, died and was succeeded by his son, William Henry White. 
Its secretary is W. E. Treat. The two large factory buildings in Waterbury 
are now headqtiarters for a plant that has well-established branches in Nau- 
gatuck, r.ridge]iort and Xew ll.'ixcn. There has been no increase in capitalization. 

rill-. K \i,i;fi.i-.i.s( u ( (iki'oKA ri(i.\ 

The Kalijileiscb t'orporatiim of Xew York, one of the largest manufacturers 
of acids and he,-i\y chemicals in the United .States, has one of its most important 
plants in Waterliury, located on Railroad Mill Street, near Eagle .Street, and 
employing 120 hands. It began the construction of a local i>lant in 11JO4, with a 
one-story brick factory 50 by 183. This has l.ieen enlarged from year to year, 
with further improvements now in progress. ,Se\en laiildings with a total front- 
age of nearly 800 feet comprise the plant today. 

The local manager is J. A. Garde. The officers of the Xew \'ork company 
are: President. V. H. Kalbfleisch ; vice president, R. S. Perry; treasurer, A. B. 
Savage ; secretary, Richard .Sheldrick, all of Xew York. 

Until May, 1917, it was known as the Eranklin H. Kalbfleisch Company. 
At that time it was incorporated under the laws of Xew Jersev as the Kalbfleisch 
Corporation. 

It manufactures sul])huric, muriatic and nitric acids, all chemicals used by 
silk, cotton and wool manufacturers in dyes, rejilacing much of that nature for- 
merly imported from ( iermany. 

W.VTERr.lKY UATTEKV (OMl'.\N\- 

The Waterbury Battery Company was incorjxjrated in i8()<) with a capital 
of $125,000, to manufacture opened and closed circuit batteries anil to handle 
battery zincs and battery materials. Its president and treasurer has been and 
is Charles B. .Schoenmehl. Its vice president and general man:iger is E. E. 
Hudson, and its secretary and factory manager is M. L. Mattus. \[ ])resent the 
company employs about a hundred hands. 



240 WATERUURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \ALLEV 

Its rirsl new building was erected in 1904, and in 1910 and 1914 the larger 
structures were added. 

TIIK WILLIAMS SEALINt; CORPORATION 

The Williams Sealing Corporation was organized October ly, 1909, with 
lohn 11. Goss, president; X. R. ISronson, vice president; George A. Williams, 
treasurer and general manager; Charles D. Nye, secretary; J. E. Tackaberry, 
assistant secretary and treasurer. Its capital is $150,000. It is located at No. 37 
IJenedict Street, where it has a frontage of 160 feet, and a depth of 120 feet. 
It occupies two buildings three stories ' in height, one of which is of mill 
construction. 

The company manufactures "Kork-N-Seal" bottle caps. These are sold to 
manufacturers of food products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, mineral waters, 
wines, liquors, patent medicines, fruit juices, and other liquids. It also makes 
automatic machinery for applying the caps to the bottles, but the cap can be 
api>lied without the use of the machine. 

The output is sold largely to big manufacturers. The article is being adopted 
by such firms as the I'arke-Davis Company of Detroit, the Standard Oil Company, 
Scott & Bowne, manufacturers of Scott's Emulsion, and the R. I.. Watkins 
Company of Cleveland. The plant employs 125 people. 

THE \v .\ti;k i; l- r y .1 ew el co m i'.\ n y 

The \\'aterbury Jewel Company was established February 8, 191 1, with 
E. M. Grilley and F. G. Neuberth as partners. It was incorporated February 18, 
1915, with F. G. Neuberth as president; II. M. Werner, secretary; E. M. Grilley, 
vice president, treasurer and manager. Its capital is $25,000. With the with- 
draw-al of Mr. Werner, R. F. Neuberth became secretary. 

The business was started on Burrall Court, and now occupies the two upper 
•loors of the Standard Tool and Machine Company Building at 31 Canal Street. 
It manufactures all kinds of small instrument jewels and talking machine playing 
points. The product represents a high grade of mechanical skill, work being 
based on processes devised by Mr. (irilley. It employs sixty hands. 

small-wire drawing 

The Standard Wire Die Company was organized and incorporated in 1914. 
Its officers were and are Frederick Quigley, president; Irving Spies, vice presi- 
dent; J. P. Wall, secretary, and H. W. Quigley, treasurer. The company manu- 
factures dies for drawing wire. It makes diamond-wire-drawing dies and 
diamond tools of all descriptions. They manufacture diamond dies for gauges 
as low as .0005 of an inch in diameter, and up to one-sixteenth of an inch in 
diameter. The product includes diamond tools of all shapes for turning hardened 
steel pinions, rubber, fiber, etc., and diamond drills for drilling glass, eyeglasses, 
etc. There are only five concerns in this line in the United States. 

The company employs twenty high grade mechanics. It has factories in 
New York, W^orcester, and Waterbury. 

George Hartley succeeded his father in the manufacture of small steel wire 
from which hair springs for watches are fabricated. He has built the business up 
to a commanding position in the trade. In 191 5 and 1916 a factory 40 by 40 feet 
was erected. 



\\"ati:ri;l;rv axd tiii-; .\al-(;atl'CK \allf,v 241 

The Jlartli-y Wire Die C"oiii]jan\- is nwned I)\' William M. Ilarllev. son uf 
George Hartley, and manufactures dianKjnd wire dies of small sizes. It was 
registered in July, 1917. 

Harris Hayden has heen for thirty \ears one of W'aterhurv's fanidus diamond 
die sinkers and is still in husiness. nCvUiiyinsj part of the ( leorge I hartley i)lant. 

Till-, Al ril\KI', IdMPAxW 

The Autoyre Comjiany was organized in June, Kju, for $2CX>,ooo, with J. H. 
Cow'les. president; F. M. I'easley, \'ice president: K. C Stewart, secretary and 
treasurer. Its factory is at Main and ( )ak\ille streets, in the huildings formerly 
occupied by the llaird .Machine C()m|)any, now of Stratford, wdiere it manufac- 
tures a general line of wire goods, corkscrews, Ixjttle o[ieners. wire looj)s, fruit 
jar trimmings, dress fasteners, having autumatic machines fni- ,ill these {processes. 
It I'miiloys 150 people. 

TIIR I, \N"1-: -\f \Xl'l"ArTIM<I\(, COMP.XXV 

The Lane Manufacturing Company was founded in 1850 l)v .\lerrilt l.ane. 
who had been in the button business with Rufus E. Hitchcock prior to that date. 
In 1867 Spencer B. Lane, a brother, became manager. In 1894 its officers were : 
E. D. Steele, president ; Spencer P>. Lane, treasurer, and H. B. Lane, secretary. 
The factory at 50 Elm Street has been occupied continuously since 1873. Merritt 
Lane died in 188S. In 1896 Spencer B. Lane became president of the company 
and remained in the position until his death in 1907. The officers now are: 
President and treasurer, Henry B. Lane : secretary, Charles B. Guernsey. 

The company makes metal buttons, buckles and snap fasteners. .\t present 
its entire output is snap fasteners. 

TiiK WATERVILL1-: cfrr.rm' C(i%rp.\XY 

The Waterville Cutlery Company, founded in 1890 with a capital of $25,000, 
was built itp to a commanding position in the line of cutlery manufacture by its 
president and treasurer, W. Sumner Babcock. In i<503, after his death, his 
attorney, N. R. Bronson, became temporary president of the company and in 
1904 disposed of it to George J. Babcock, a brother of the former president. In 
1913 the Superior Court on application of Mr. Babcock appointed Lawrence L. 
Lewis receiver with orders to dispose of the property. The order of the court 
approving the sale and discharging the receiver was recorded r)ctober 10, IQI.^. 

THE MOKUEX M .\N f E .XCTl'Rl .\( ; (l.i-MI'.VXV 

Early in 1904 Miss L. M. Morden, a stenographer, secured a patent on a 
"loose-leaf" metal ring an<i in .\ugust of that year incorporated the Morden 
Manufacturing Company with a cai)ital of $40,000. She has since i)atented other 
loose-leaf devires and her plant occupies a large loft at 141 Waterville Street. 
It turns out these devices in great quantities. Miss Morden is the only woman 
in active executive work along manufacturing lines in Waterbury. The officers 
of the company in 1917 arc: President and treasurer. Miss L. M. Morden; vice 
president, B. F. Morden ; secretary, A. E. McDonald. 



242 WATERBURV AND THE XAL'GATUCK WALLEY 

THE H. I,. WELCH IIOSIKRV COMPANY 

Henry L. Welch in 1870 started the business which in i8yo he incorporated 
as the H. L. Welch Hosiery Company with a capital of $80,000. In 1895, on the 
death of Mr. Welch, his interest went to his daughter, Mrs. F. Samson of Hart- 
ford, and to her children. It was doing a big business in fine knit underwear 
and under the management of Frank B. Buck grew so that its Waterville building 
was enlarged. 

In 1914, at the beginning of the war period, many of its best hands left it to 
go into munition-making lines and the business began to drop off. The buildings 
were disposed of in 1916, the realty going to John W. Hard, who is the purchasing 
agent for the Chase interests. All the machinery and stock were sold to other 
concerns in this line of manufacture. ]n September, 1917, the papers dissolving 
the corporation were filed with the secretary of state. 

THE W.VTERBIJKV INSTRUME.NT COMPANY 

The Waterbury Instrument Company was incorporated in 1915 for $25,000 
and until 1917 its work was done in the plant of the Waterbury Jewel Company. 
This year it was established as a separate concern and is now busy perfecting 
its reproducer for talking machines. Its product is not yet on the market. The 
officers are: President, C. H. W. Newton; secretary, Henry M. Werner; treas- 
urer, Joseph Wilhelm. 

THIC W.VTEKBURY ICI-; rORPOR.A.TION 

The Waterbury Jce Corporation was organized in 1902 with a capital of 
$15,000. Its first officers were Charles R. Vaill, president, and Charles B. Everett, 
secretary and treasurer. It was located on Brook Street until 191 5, and is now 
at 74 Watertown Avenue, where it has 500 feet frontage on the avenue with 
an average depth of 60 feet. With a spur track from the trolley line, it 
easily handles and stores the ice it ctits at Lake Quassaug. The plant has a 
capacity of 1 50 tons, with storage at the lake for 8,000 tons. The company uses 
twenty teams in warm weather for delivery, employing eighty people in the 
summer season. The company does 75 per cent of the ice business in Waterbury. 

THE SPRING L.\KE ICE COMP.\NV 

The Spring Lake Ice Company lias two large ice houses in Reedville, and is 
owned Ijy George E. Storm. Tt furnishes over 20 pcv cent of the ice supply of 
Waterbury. 

THE HEI.EM.\N BREWING GOMP.VNY 

The Hellman Brewing Company, one of the three largest breweries in the 
state, was established in 1878 by Frederick Nuhn in a small building on its 
present site. In 1881 Martin Hellman and Michael Kipp bought the plant and 
erected the present main building, 5J/2 stories high with a tower, used 
now for malt bins. In 1895 the business was enlarged by the addition of an ale 
plant and a two-story brick stable. The ale plant is three stories in height. 40 
by 40. In 1901 the Hygeia ice plant was built. In 1916 storage cellars were added 
and this year a large addition is being built to the wash house. 



\\-ATERr;rRv and thi-: nal-gatuck \•A]JJ•:^• 243 

Martin Hellniaii. wIkj had lj(iu,i;lit nut h\> ].;n-tncr in iSS(), dii.-il in i8i;5. and 
iiis widow. Mrs. Martni I Icllnian, inc(jr|i(iratt'd tlic husnic-ss willi a cajiital of 
.$50,000. '{"he original oliicrrs were: I 'n-sidcnt, Mrs. .Mariin ilrllman: vice 
president, William I klhn.m ; srcret.ary and treasurer, William 1 >. Kuiiardson. 
In looj William I lellm.au <iied and his linilher, Charles .M . Ihdhnan, took his 
pl.-ice (ju the hoard. .Mr. Richardson died in 11M4. The pri-sent ot'licers are: 
1 'resident, Mrs. Martin 1 hllman ; secret, iry and treasurer, Charles .\1. 1 lellinan. 

In KKJI the plant (if the llyt^eia Ice t.ompany. part of the llelhnan brewery. 
w.is linilt at 101)5 l'';ink ."street. It is e(|uip])ed t(j manufacture ice fr(im distilled 
water hy what is known :is the can system — that is, freezing the water in cms. 
It is sold only .it wholesale ,ind the greater p.irt of its daily no-ton oniimt is houglil 
hy the W'.iterhury Ice ( or|Mir;ition. 

Till-: i-:.\(,i,i' i;ki w 1 .\ m r axs' 

1 he l-".:igle Hrewery w.is est.ihlished in hjoi li\ Thomas I'innegan .and I'.iul 
."-^nese. In looj it was laken o\ er li\ I'homas 11. Ila\es :iiid .\lr. linneg.an .and 
incoi-]iorated in July, \<)<\^. inv S_'5, noo, with I'homas II. Ila\es as president. :ind 
'I'hom.as h'innegan. secretary. The present four-stor\ ni.iin huilding. 150 li\- So. 
was erected in 1902 and is used for the manufacture of ale. lagei- :md poiier. 
The brewery's capacity tod.ay is from .Sci.ooo to 100.000 b.irrels .a \ear. 

Thomas H. Hayes died April 1 1, loi.v :iiid he w.is succteded in the prcsidenc\- 
liy his widow, Mrs. Thomas II. Hayes, who still holds that position. In iwij :i 
modern bottling shop, 100 by 50, was erected. 

Its officers today are: President, .Mrs. Thom.as 11. Ha\es; \ice president. 
Thomas Finnegan; treasurer, Thomas {■'.. (_iuest ; assistant treasurer. 1 )aniel |. 
I.eary: secretar)-, Michael T. 1 lax'es. 

I- lew .M.\.\rF.\CI |-KIX(. I,nSSl".S 



The record of industrial growth of the p:ist ([uarter centurv has been m.:irked 
by few remo\als of inanuf.icturing plants. The additions. ,is the histor\- shows. 
have been extensive. 

Tlie Haird Machine (^'ompan\-. which was incorporated in luK. iSi)4. mo\ed 
its jjlant to W'aterbury in 19(X). At that time its jiresident was J. H. I'.aird ami 
its secretary John M. Hopkins. It remained here until 1912, erecting a factory 
in KjO/ and 1908. In 191 1 it decided to move to Stratford, where it is now- 
located. It makes automatic machinery. 

The .Manville Urothers t'ompany was organized in 1897 «'"'"1 incorpor.ated 
bv k. C, W'. W. and < i. II, .Manville. The lirm manufactured automatic 
machinery along lines simikar to the outi)Ut .at |>resent of the Rowbottom Machine 
Company, to wdiom the business was linally sold in i<)tj. In ii)o_' ( ieorge H. 
Manville withdrew from the linn .and organized the ( i. H. Man\ille Pattern and 
Model Company, which was incorporated in 1913. 

The National \^'ire Mattress Comj>any incorporated in Connecticut in I'ebru- 
ary, 1902, for $20,000, with R. V>. Hill as ])resident and William I. Fielding as 
treasurer. Its connections were such that in igof:) it decided to mo\e to X'ew 
Britain, where it is now located .and is known as the National .Spring lied 
Company. 

The A\'aterbury Crucible Compau)- incorporated in Connecticut in \i.i\ ember. 
1904, with a capital of $50,000. Its officers were: President. Edg.ar 1'.. Seidel : 
treasurer, Levi S. Tentiey of New York; secretary, F. 5. Little of New \'ork. 



244 WATICRIUTRY AXD THE XAl'GATUCK VALLEY 

It was located at Meadow, corner of Benedict Street, where it had a two-story 
brick factor)-, size 51 by 76. In kjio it decided to remove to Detroit to be nearer 
its trade. 

The Standard Electric Time Company manufacturers of self-winding clocks, 
regulators, electric tower clocks, electric time plants, was located at 23 Jefferson 
Street. 

The officers of the company were (k'orge L. Riggs, president ; J. J. Estabrook, 
secretary. 

In igo8 when E. II., ]'>. li. and 1'.. H. I^iristol moved to Foxboro, Mass., they 
made this a part of their new business. It was then repurchased by George L. 
Riggs and associates, who moved it to Springfield, where it is now located. 



CHAITKR XXI 
THE MAS( )NIC ORDER AND OTHER FRATERXITIES 

^AKL\ MASUXIC IIISTIINV IIAKM(JXV AXD CONTIXKXTAI. LOIXJKS MASONIC CLCIl^ 

CLAKK ( ;0.\1MAXU1-;U\ l-:i KICKA IIIAI'TER, R. A. M. ^WATKRHURV COUNCIL, NO. 

21 — TUK WATIIRBURV MASdXIC TI-.MI'LE — THE ODD FELLOWS — NOSAIIOGAN LODGE 

— l-:NCAXir.\IE\T AXD CAXTOX — DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS 

— II. I'. 0. ELKS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS — .\NCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS — 

rXITHD WORKMEN — FORESTER.S — LOYAL ORDER OF .MOOSE — HEPTASOPHS — EAGLES 

— REii MEN — uxni;i) \Mi;ki(Ax m it uaxics — wdonMicx .\xd i/iher fraterxi- 

TIES FRENCH, . ri \LIAX, SWEDISH AND (.I:RMAX SOCII- I-II-..S LABOR OR(^ANI- 

ZATIONS. 

The past twenty years in Waferlmry have l)een reniarkalile for Masonic 
activity and Harmony Lodge has played a \ery important part in the wonder- 
ful growth of Masonry, thus continuing and developing the work begun by 
Worshipful Brother Byington and his associate workers and brethren 120 years 
ago. when the lodge was founded. 

The one hundredth anniversary touml the craft enjoying their own (juar- 
ters in Masonic Temple at 126 Bank Street, but in the disastrous fire whicii 
swept Waterbury February 2. 1902, this temple was totally destroyed. All 
property, jewels and furniture therein, except records and jewels in tlie \'ault. 
were lost. 

After the lire, the various Masonic bodies held meetings in St. John's parish 
house until a suitable hall could be found. Waterbury was rapidly rebuilt and 
arrangements were made for a hall to be laid out on the fourth floor of the 
Mullings Building at 95 Bank Street. It soon became apparent that these quar- 
ters were not large enough to accommodate the various Masonic bodies. The 
need of a new and properly equipped temple was evident to all, and the first 
step in this direction was taken in December, 1905. A by-law was then adopted 
by both Harmony Lodge, Xo. 42, and Continental Lodge, No. j6, F. & A. M., 
providing that the trustees of both of said lodges should constitute a joint board 
of trustees, to be known as the Alasonic Building b'und Trustees, to care for 
and invest all funds received for the purpose of purchasing land and erecting 
and furnishing a temple thereon. The fund was started by an appropriation of 
$1,000 by each of the lodges, and other contributions were m;ide from time 
to time. 

In 1908 a building committee, reiiresenting all bodies, was appointed and in 
the early part of the year 191 1 the homestead of Elisha Leavenworth became 
available as a possible site for the jiroposed temple. The executors of Mr. 
Leavenworth's will declined to divide the frontage on West Main Street, and 
as other parties were ready to purchase, prompt action was necessary. It was 
then that Almon C. Jtidd, Robert P. Lewis, John R. Hughes, Carl Munger and 
Albert Schumaker, all members of the craft, and enthusiastic workers for the 
new temple, came forward and purchased the entire frontage on West Main 

245 



246 ^^'ATERP.URY AXD THE NAUGATUCK \ALLEY 

Street. These men then offered to convey to tlie .Masonic building committee all 
or any part of said land without any advance in price, and the committee finally 
secured a site for the new temple at a price of $20,000. This met with instant 
approval, the money was raised in part by subscription and the full purchase 
price was paid over on July i, 191 1. 

In the same year the members of the Masonic building committee recom- 
mended to the several bodies that a corporation without capital stock be formed 
under the statute laws of the State of Connecticut by incorporators. rej)resenting 
all the Masonic bodies of Waterbury, to take charge of the building of the 
temple. 

In accordance with this and other recommendations, each body appointed three 
of its members to act as incorporators, with full power and authority to act with 
the incorporators appointed by the other Masonic bodies in this city, in forming 
such a corporation. The incorporators met and organized the Waterbury Ma- 
sonic Temple Corporation, which erected and maintains this beautiful temple for 
the use, benelit and occupancy of the several orders of Masonry, situated within 
the Masonic jurisdiction of the Town of Waterbury. 

Until 1847 Harmony Lodge was the only Masonic organization in Waterbury, 
and until July i, 1845, there w^as no other fraternity of any kind. Now, how- 
ever, there are within the original territory, five Masonic lodges, three chapters, 
a council, a commandery, and a lodge, council and chapter of the Scottish rite. 

Continental Lodge, No. 76, was formed in 1869. In the charter of Continental 
Lodge are the names of forty-nine brethren, one-half of whom were members 
of Harmony Lodge. From its origin to the present time Continental I^odge 
has enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity and the relations between it and its mother 
lodge have been of the most cordial and fraternal character, having made it 
possible for many enterprises to be carried out by them together. Among these 
might be mentioned the Masonic Board of Relief, the purchase of a burial lot 
and the erection of a monument in Riverside Cemetery, and co-operation with 
the other Masonic organizations in forming the Waterbury Masonic Temple 
Corporation. 

There have been seventy-one masters of llarniony Lodge in the 121 years of 
its e.xistence, and there are now between lifly and sixty veterans of over thirty 
years' standing. Among its early members were eleven men who had served in 
the Revolutionary war, and from that time on, it has been represented in every 
war in which this country has engaged. There were four men in the war of 
1 81 2, two in the Mexican war, thirty in the Civil war, two in the Spanish war, 
and at least eighteen have answered the call of their country in the present emer- 
gency. 

Many of its members have filled high places in state and national govern- 
ments. Among these are George I^. Lilley, governor of Connecticut and member 
of Congress: Stephen W. Kellogg, member of Congress for three terms; Joel 
Hinnian, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Errors of the State of Connecticut ; 
Charles E. Turner, United States consul-general at Ottawa, Canada, and Henry 
I. Houghton, Henry F. Fish. George \\'. Benedict, Aner Bradley. Jr.. John Ken- 
drick, Philo G. Rockwell, Joseph B. Spencer, George P.. Thomas, U'illiam E. 
Thorns, Francis T. Reeves and John W. Webster were mayors of Waterbury. 
Many members have served as state senators and representatives and on various 
munici])al boards of the city of \\'aterbury. Many prominent clergymen of various 
denominations have been members. Among them Rev. Joseph Anderson, D. D., 
pastor of the First Church in Waterbury for over forty years and a member of 
the corjioration of Yale University, and Rev. F. D. Buckley, rector of Trinity 
Cliurch for iwcnty-five years. * 




J1AS(_)NU' TKMI'LK, WKST MAIN STRKKT, WATKlUiL'RY 



\\ATI-Ri;UKY AND THE NAUGATUCK \''A1.LEV 247 

In the fraternity itself many of its members have been called to fill high 
places of honor and esteem. Randolph B. Chapman was the grand master of the 
most worshipful Grand Lodge of Connecticut, John W. Paul was at one time 
grand secretary, the Rev. F. D. Buckley, grand chaplain. James Coer was grand 
senior deacon at the time of his death. James Callan was grand high priest. 
Grand Royal Arch Chapter. Frank H. Trowbridge was the most puissant grand 
master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons in Connecticut. Nathan 
Dikeman, John W. Paul, Frederick A. Spencer and Nelson J. Welton were grand 
commanders of the Grand Commandery of Connecticut. Nelson J. Welton and 
John R. Hughes were thirty-third degree Masons of A. A. S. R. 

Both Harmony and Continental Lodges now rank among the largest in the 
state. The membership of Harmony Lodge is 527 members, a gain of 65 during 
the present year. Continental Lodge has about the same number. 

The past masters of Harmony Lodge from 1893 to I9'7 were: Ralph I.. 
Bronson, Harry O. Miller, J. Ward 11. Porter, Frederick E. Stanley, James 1'. 
Fdliott, Eufjene C. Adt, Randolph B. ChajMiian, Edward E. Bacon, John F. Morden. 
Adam Callan, Louis C. Chapman, Frank A. Aiden, Walter G. Chapman, Robert 
S. Walker, William IL Callan, Frank J. Erbe, Ernest L. Green. Ernest F. Guil- 
ford, Irving W. Harrison, lames B. Isherwood, Crayton F. Carpenter, Joseph 
Wilhelm, Clark H. W. Newton. 

The past masters of Continental L(jdge from rScj^ tu 11J17 have been: George 
E. Tompkins, \\'illiam M. Cottle. William K. Xorris, Hollis B. Bagg. William V.. 
Brown, Edwin S. Babcock, E\erett L,. Starr, Frank I".. Fenner, Charles M. 
Brooks, Jacob' Kaiser, Josei)h S. Neill, \\'alter D. Austin, George LI. Crane, 
George G. Mullings, Edwin K. Diver, .Samuel H. Patterson, Otto P. Armbruster. 
Louis E. Granger. Marshall F. Klo])|>enburg. William R. Keaveney. Leon 11. 
Cummings. Richard S. Wood, Herman .M. Turrell. Artluu- T. Mayhew. 

The present officers of Har'.unny and I'ontinent.il lodges follow: 

Harmony Lodge: Clark H. W. Xe\\ti)ii, worshipful master; George S. Callan, 
senior warden ; Alfred G. Germain, junior warder. ; Irving W. Harrison, treasurer ; 
John A. McKay, secretary; Leon A. Duley, senior deacon; I. Franklin Storv, 
junior deacon; Ralph E. Day, senior steward; Frederick J. Willits, Jr., junior 
steward; Carlton B. Coe, chaplain; \\ illiam II. Phillips, marshal; Cravton F. Car- 
penter, tyler. 

Continental Lodge: Arthur T. Mayhew, wor.^hi]iful master; John W. Potter, 
senior warden; Arthur A. Bradley, junior warden; Wilbur P. Bryan, treasurer; 
Franklin B. Daniels, secretary ; Burton A. Young, senior deacon ; Hubert L. Bas- 
sett, junior deacon; Frederick P>. Peck, senior stew.ird ; James W. y\bercrombie, 
junior steward; Re\-. Charles E. Benedict, cb.aplain; Ralpii T. Benedict, marshal; 
Henry H. Peck, tyler. 

Tlie Masonic Club, a purely social organization, was organized on January 
24. iiS()5. in the old Masonic Temple. 12I) Bank Street. Its first officers were: 
President. ( leorge F. Hughes; \ice presidents. J. W. B. Porter. Harry F. LaForge; 
secretary, George C. Curtiss; treasurer, James W. Cone; board of managers. 
Ezra L. Chapman, James Callan, H. T. .Stedinan, Wm. K. Xorris. Howard ( i. 
Pinney, Jacolj Kaiser. 

It was active in a social w.i\- until i<)no wlieii it went out of existence. Its la^i 
officers were: r)r. T. V. Axtelle, president, and C. H. Rockwood, secretary and 
treasurer. 

For many years it has l)een evident tu many observers that the interests of 
Freemasonry demand the establishment of another lodge in \\'aterbury and un- 
doubtedly the time has come when steps will be taken to bring this about. Both 



248 WATERBURY AXI) Till-. XAI(;ATUCK \ Al.l.i•:Y 

lodges are so strong, relations between them so eordial, .Masonic work in this 
city so plentiful, that it seems a most opportune time to form another lodge, one- 
half of the charter members to be drawn from Harmony Lodge and the other 
half from Continental Lodge. The movement is well under way and in the hands 
of men who have the best interests of Freemasonry at heart. 

CLARK COMM.VNDICKV 

Clark Commandery, No. 7, Knights Templar, constituted May 10, 1866, has 
continued its notable work throughout the past quarter century. The annual 
observance of Ascension Day is still one of the customs of the commandery. 
Services are held in one of the city churches, after which the graves of deceased 
knights are decorated with flowers. Its equipment for the rendering of the 
ritual is second to none in the jurisdiction. Its membership today is about 290. 

The following are the officers for 1917-1918. Marshall F. Kloppenburg, emi- 
nent commander; S. McLean Buckingham, generalissimo; Herbert L. Beardsley, 
captain general; John L. Scott, prelate; Charles A. Templeton, senior warden; 
Robert V. Magee, junior warden; Wilbur P. Bryan, treasurer; George H. Crane, 
recorder; James W. Abercrombie, standard bearer; Fenton F. Niver, sword 
bearer; Howard F. Moody, warden; Charles W. Hotchkiss, sentinel; Ernest A. 
Andersen, third guard; Franklin A. Wells, second guard: Cleaveland D. Wilson, 
first guard; Carl Iv Munger, Kelson J. Welton, J. Richard Smith, trustees: Carl 
E. Munger, Nelson J. Welton, Henry H. Peck, trustees Clark Good Will Fund; 
Almon C. Judd, commissary; Franklin 1!. Daniels, drill master; Frederick C. 
Marggrafi^, instructor of ritual and work. 

The past commanders of Clark Commandery since 1893 are: Fred A. Spencer, 
Alfred J. Shipley, Wm. G. Smith, Elliott E. Candee, George C. Curtiss, J. W. B. 
Porter, Carl E. Munger, Fred E. Stanley, W. P. Bryan, John B. Ebbs, Benjamin 
L. Coe, Joseph H. Woodward, John R. Hughes, Charles M. Brooks, Frederick C. 
MarggrafF, Franklin B. Daniels, John L. Scott, W'm. R. Keaveney, Paul Klimpke, 
W, L. Babcock, Marshall Kloppenburg. 

El'RKKA ( HAl'TKR. \(). 22. U. .\. M. 

Eureka Chapter, organized in the town of Oxford, October 12, 1826, removed 
to Waterbury November 2. 1847, has now in 1917 a membership of 350. This is 
a growth from 216 in 1895. The 1917 oiScers are as follows: John E. Porzen- 
heim. excellent high priest: Edward W. Johnson, king; Louis C. Chapman, scribe; 
Wilbur P. Bryan, treasurer; George E. Irion, secretary; Louis E. Granger, 
C. of II. ; George J. Munson, P. S. ; Frederick W. Davis, R. \. C. ; I. Franklin 
Story, 3 V. ; Harry J. Rider, 2 \'. ; Clarence F. McKay, i \'. ; Charles W. Hotch- 
kiss, sentinel ; trustees. Alfred J. Shipley, Carl E. Munger. 

The past high priests of Eureka Chapter, from 1893 to 1917, are: James Cal- 
lan, Alfred J. Shipley, F.ldridge E. Candee. William E. Norris. Elliott E. Candee, 
Carl E. Munger, William E. Thorns, Charles M. Brooks. Henry F. Marendaz, 
Eugene C. .\dt. Joseph S. .\eill. Waller C. Bon. I-'rank E. Beardsley, John J. 
Gailey, William E. Brown. Harry A. Richardson, W. L. Babcock, Wm. R. Kea- 
veney, Frank Mitchell, Thomas D. Prescott, Roberts G. Hannegan, Harry P. 
Sanderson, Alpheus E. ISetts. John E. Porzenheim. 

W.VTKRBURV ( Ot'XCIL, NO. 21, R. & S. M. 

Waterburv Council, Xo. 21, R. vv S. M., w^as constituted March 21, 1853. In 
1805 it had a membersliip of 245. Its roster today is nearly 325. Its present 



W AT1:RI!LRV AXU the XAUGATUCK N'AI.LI'A- -^v.) 

officers are: Edward \V. Johnson, tlirice illustrious master; Crayton E. Lariien- 
ter, Rt. 111. D. M. ; Arthur W. Rohbins, 1". C. & W. ; Wilbur P. Bryan, treasurer; 
George E. Irion, recorder ; Louis C. Chapman, C. of G. ; Ralph E. Day, conductor ; 
William H. Miller, steward; Charles W. Hotchkiss, sentinel; trustees, .\lfred J. 
Shipley, Carl E. Munger. ^\'. 1.. I'.alicock'. 

The following are the thrice illustrious masters of Waterbury Council from 
1893 *^o 1917; Frank H. Trowliridge, James Callan, R. R. Bird, h'red V.. Stanley, 
Eugene C. Adt, Joseph S. Neill, Walter H. Ruggles, Walter C. Bon, (ieorge C. 
Curtiss, Harry J. Beardsley, Cliarlcs II. Swenson, Harry A. Richardson. Wm. V. 
Brown, Wm. R. Keaveney, VV. L. Babcock, Thomas D. Prescott, Frederick C. 
Marggraff, Frank Mitchell, Frederick M. Davis. John E. Porzenheim, b'-dward 
W. Johnson. 

Doric Lodge of Perfection, which confers from the fourth to the fourteenth 
degrees, Ionic Council, Princes of Jerusalem, which gives the lifteenth and six- 
teenth degrees, and Corinthian Chapter, Rose Croix, seventeenth and eighteenth 
degrees, were all chartered September 23, 1897. The 1917 officers of these Ma- 
sonic bodies are as follows : 

Doric Lodge of Perfection : Robert S. Walker, thrice potent master ; b'reder- 
ick W. Chesson, deputy master; Charles A. Temjileton. senior w.irden ; Charles 
Al. r.nioks. junior warden; Carlton B. Coe, orator; Almon C. judd. secretary; 
Willis M. Hall, treasurer; George C. Curtiss, master of ceremonies; Alpheus E. 
Betts, guard ; Alfred J. Shipley, hosjMtaler ; Charles W. Hotchkiss, tyler. 

Ionic Council, Princes of Jerusalem: Robert H. Batton, sovereign prince; 
Clark H. W. Newton, high priest; Arthur U. Buckman, senior warden; llinim 1.. 
Kilborn, junior warden; Willis M. Hall, treasurer; Almon C. judd. secretary; 
George W. Seeton, master of ceremonies; Jcjhn 1'-. Porzenheim, master of en- 
trances ; Alfred J. Shipley, hospitaler ; Charles W. Hotchkiss, tyler. 

Corinthian Chapter of Rose Croix: Howard F. Moody, most wise master; 
Harry B. Sanderson, senior warden; Raljih E. Day, junior warden; Benjamin 1.. 
Coe, orator; Willis M. Hall, treasurer; Almon C. Judd, secretary ; (ieorge C. Cur- 
tiss, master of ceremonies; Alfred J. Shipley, hospitaler; Albert 1. Chatlield, 
guard ; Charles W. Hotchkiss, tyler. 

Naomi Chapter, No. 23, Order of Eastern Star, which was instituted September 
12, 1879, and constituted October 8, 1879, has the following officers in 1917: 
Catherine Goppelt, worthy matron; Louis E. Granger, worthy patron; Lura K. 
Richardson, associate matron; Jennie Marggraff, secretary; .Sarah A. I'atchen. 
treasurer; Margaret Moore, conductress; I-^ena .S. Perkins, associate conductress; 
Charlotte Hannegan, chaplain ; Nellie E. Candee, marshal ; Clara H. Wirth, organ- 
ist; Elizabeth Huber, Adah; Blanche I-^. Heebner, Ruth; Mary E. Woodcock, 
Esther; Ereena T. Callender, Martha; Charlotte Abercromliie, l^lecta ; Louis C. 
Chapman, sentinel; Susie H. Granger, warder. 

Evergreen Court, No. 2, Order of Amaranth, which was chartered April 22, 
1910, has the following officers for 191 7 : Daysie Perry, royal matron ; E. K. Diver, 
royal patron; Elizabeth Booth, ass(jciate royal matron; Grace R. White, secretary; 
Elizabeth Hengeveld, treasurer; Mary Woodcock, conductress: Katherine Turrell. 
associate conductress. 

The Waterbury Alasonic Aid Association, which was instituted July Hi. iSi)<'. 
has the following officers for njij: Louis E. Granger, president; Ferdinand 
Wolff", vice president; George C. Curtiss. treasurer; Raymond H. Ryder, secretary. 
Directors. Ernest H. Horn. Charles W. Hotchkiss. Harry A. Richardson, b'er- 
dinand Wolff. Charles E. Schlier. Sick visiting committee, ll.irry A. Richardsun. 
George O. Monroe. 



250 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Kellogg Lodge, Xo. 5, F. & A. M., an organization of colored Masons, was 
organized October 12, 1874. Its officers at present are: Worshipful master, A. H. 
Catling; senior warden, \V. \^'. Holland; junior warden, A. L Harrow; secretary, 
C. C. Fowler; treasurer, \V. Fl. Costcn ; tyler, S. Norwood. 

TIIK \VAT1;KIUJRV MASOXIC TKMl'Lli 

The Masonic Temple, specially designed and planned for the use of the fra- 
ternity, is really two buildings erected at right angles to each other. The West 
Main street front building is 26 by 100 feet, four stories high, and is located directly 
opposite the Soldiers Monument. On the first floor is the main entrance, a large 
lobby, corridor, and the incorporators' room. The general library and reading 
rooms occupy the entire second floor, and the various lodge parlors and social 
rooms are on the third and fourth floors. The rear portion contains a fire-proof 
stair and elevator tower. 

The main building is 70 by 110 feet, and extends from the rear of the stair 
tower across to Park Place, opposite the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium. It contains four 
halls, with all necessary anterooms and conveniences. A large auditorium, known 
as Temple Hall, beautifully decorated and furnished, is on the first floor. It has 
a large stage, gallery, kitchen, several dressing rooms and six exits. It will seat 
about nine hundred people, and is considered the best equi])ped and most acces- 
sible hall for public use in the city. It is intended for a bancjuet hall for large 
Masonic gatherings as well as a source of revenue. 

The second floor, which is on the same level as the third floor of the f roiu build- 
ing, is divided into two lodge rooms, one 273/2 by 50 feet, and one 37 by 65 feet. 
These are used by the two blue lodges, chapter, council and orders of the Eastern 
Star and the Amaranth. The commandery asylum, 50 by 58, is on the third floor, 
and this room, which has a pipe organ and a large stage, is also used by the 
Scottish rite bodies. 

The Temple is owned and controlled by the fraternity through the Water- 
bury Masonic Temple Corporation, a corporation without capital stock, organized 
under the laws of the State of Connecticut June 29, 191 1, by the following incor- 
porators, representing all the Masonic bodies of Waterbury : 

Harmony Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M.. Robert S. Walker. Albert Schumaker, 
Rev. F. D. Buckley. 

Continental Lodge. No. 76, V. & A. M.. Nelson J. Welton, H. H. Peck. F. B. 
Daniels. 

Eureka Chapter. Xo. 22, R. A. M.. E. C. Adt. G. G. MuUings, W. L. Bab- 
cock. 

Waterbury Council. Xo. 21. R. iS: S. M., W. R. Keaveney, G. C. Curtiss, James 
Callan. 

Clark Commandery, No. 7, K. T.. J. R. Smith. P.. L. Coe. Carl E. Munger. 

Doric Lodge of Perfection. A. .\. S. R.. J. R. Hughes. !•'. C MarggrafT, M. F. 
Kloppenburg. 

Tonic Council. Princes of Jerusalem, .\. .\. S. R., Robert P. Lewis. J. K. Smith, 
J. M. Woodward. 

Corinthian Chai)ter. Rose Croix. A. A. S. R., .\lmon C. Judd. John 15. Ebbs, 
Willis M. Hall. 

The corner stone of the new temple was laid on Saturday, August 10, 1912, 
at 3 130 in the afternoon by M. W. Justin Holden, grand master of Masons in 
Connecticut, assisted by his associate grand officers. The ceremony of laying 
the stone was in accordance with the ancient Masonic custom and the exercises 



WATKkl'.nn AXI) nil', XALi.ATL'CK \ ALLLA' 2j1 

included appropriate addresses liy menilters of the craft and bin,t,nn,L; liv the iMa- 
sonic choir of Waterhury. There were a larije numlier of Masons present from 
all parts of Connecticut, and the event was one of the most impressive of its kind 
ever held in Waterhury and will lont;' he remembered liy all who witnessed it. 
Thirty-six lodges were represented and ten thirty-thinl detjree Al;isons were 
present when the stone was laid. 

The stone contains a large nnmlier of historical documents, coins .nid medals, 
many of which had once before been <leposited in ;i corner stone, th.it of the old 
temple on Bank Street, which was destroyed by the great lire of i<;o_'. and recov- 
ered when the stone was taken from the ruins. 

The temple was informally opened by the W .iterbury .M.isonic Temple Cor- 
poration on Tuesday evening. March _>4. 11)14. and hundreds of the members of 
the fraternity visited the Iniilding and inspected their new home for the first 
time. 

The first meeting in the temple for Masonic work was held li\ Harmony 
Lodge in the memorial lodge room on Tiiursda\- exening. .ALirch J( 1. 11)14. The 
E. A. degree was conferred upon one candidate in the ]jresence of a \(.;ry large 
gathering. 

The temple was dedicated May J3. 11114. bv M. W. ( ii;ind Master i'jlgar JI. 
Parkman, assisted by his associate grand lodge ottici'rs in the ]iresence of a large 
number of the brethren. 

.\ beautiful bronze medal was made to commemorate the dedication of tiie 
temple. The dies were cut by Alpheiis hi. I'.etts of llarmonv Lodge and were 
presented to the corporation by him. The medals were aLo presented to the 
corporation by members of the fr.ateinity employed by the \\';iterbur\- liranches 
of the American Brass Company, where the metal was made and rolled. 

The present officers of the Tem]>le Corporation are: X'ice president and treas- 
urer, Robert S, Walker; secretary. Willis M. Hall; owing to death of N. J. Wel- 
ton. there is at present a \'acanc\ in ihv presidenc\ . Directors. Ceorge C. Curtiss. 
Franklin B. Daniels. Willis M.'llall, John R. Hughes, Almon C. judd, Carl E. 
Munger, Henry IL Peck. Allien .Sclium.iker, lohn K. ."^mith. Robert .'^. Walker. 

THE ODD FELLOWS 

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is, next to the Masonic order, the 
oldest and strongest of the secret fraternal orders in Waterhury. Nosahogan 
Lodge, No. 21, now has a membership of 940, and one of its members, (jcorge M. 
Chapman, is at present at the head of the order in the state. 

Nosahogan Lodge celebrated l.)oth its fiftieth and its seventieth anniversaries 
in the last quarter century, both celebrations being the occasion of a large state 
gathering. It was organized July i, 1845. 

Together with Townsend Lodge it has now entertained the (irand Lodge 
of the state three times since 1892, and will again entertain it in 1918. In iScjj 
George H. Cowell. a member of Nosahogan Lodge, was grand master. The next 
meeting of the Grand Lodge was held in 1898, when John Blair, another member 
of Nosahogan Lodge, was retiring from the office of grand master. It met again 
in Waterhury in 1910, when Wm. E. Thoms was grand master. In i<)iS it will 
hold a session in Waterhury, George M. Chapman, grand master an<l ,1 member 
of Townsend Lodge, closing his term as head of the order in the state. 

Nosahogan Lodge has had the honor of having ten of its members in the 
mayoralty chair. Of the later ones this includes former Alayors Reeves. Thoms, 
Bradley, Webster, Barlow, and Mayor-Elect Sandland. Judges Kellogg and Bur- 



252 \V.\TI':RI'.L'RY and Till': XAlCiATLXK \ ALLEY 

pee of ihe Sui^erior Court are prominent members. Former Chief of Police Egan 
and the present chief, Geo. M. Beach, are enthusiastic members of Xosahogan 
Lodge. 

One of the most beneficent features of Xosahogan Lodge is its mutual aid 
association. This was instituted on May 2, 1884, and pays death benefits of $250 
to widows of deceased members, and pays sick benefits of $6 weekly for thirteen 
weeks. In 1906 its method of assessment was altered and is now graded according 
to age. On December 10, 1917, all its bills wvrc ])aid and it had in the treasury 
$5,761.33. It paid out in 1917 $1,471. 

Its officers are: President, Herbert J. l'billi]is: secretary, (ieorge M. Egan; 
treasurer, Homer G. Filley. 

The present officers of Nosahogan Lodge arc: Xoble grand, Lester J. Smith; 
vice grand, Robert Gardner; recording secretary. R. C. Frink; financial secretary, 
Wni. IT. Lowe; treasurer, Peter B. Reeves; board of trustees, Francis T. Reeves, 
W . |. Larkin, F. C. Fromm. 

ihe past noble grands of Xosahogan Lodge since 1893 are as follows : Herbert 
L Phillips, .Seron Decker, William J. Larkin, Charles H. Tomlinson, Frederick 
E. Cross, William B. Kelsey, John H. Guernsey, Charles H. Keach. John J. Sie- 
bert, Edward L. Bronson, Charles P. Ilaight, William A. Chase, William E. 
Thoms, Charles F. Pierson, Clayton M. Andrews, Peter B. Reeves, Adam Callan, 
Addison A. Ashborn, Albert H. Mills, William E. Wildnian, Franklin B. Fischer. 
W. M. .\shborn, G. T. Fuller, James A. Callan, Edmund B. Stocking, O. P. Arm- 
bruster, F. C. Fromm, John FI. Morrows C. II. Granger, H. C. Dews, C. E. Mann, 
A. F. Ells, E. S. Ross, H. R. Dews, R. C. F"rink, F. B. Williams, W. J. Pettis, 
Geo. Delevieleuse, Jr., Geo. A. Smith, F. .\. I lungcrford, H. J. Reynolds, R. C. 
Perry, F. E. Hanchett, H. G. Reynolds, A. B. Phillips, Edward Shepard, Lester 
J. Smith. 

Townsend Lodge, Xo. 89, I. O. O. P., was organized January 1, 1872, by a 
group of members from Xosahogan Lodge. In i8()5 its membership was 339. 
It is today, 191 7, 860. 

The present officers are as follows: Xoble grand, Louis F. Marggrafif; vice 
grand, Louis F'. Hine ; recording secretary, Colin F. Wilson ; financial secretary, 
George M. Chapman; treasurer, Henry A. IToadley. 

Ansantawae Encampment, No. 20, I. O. O. F., was organized September 25, 
1853. Today its membership is 575, consisting of members of both Odd Fellow 
lodges who expressed a desire to take higher degrees in the order. Its officers 
for 1917 are: Chief Patriarch, Louis F. Hine; high priest, John H. SchafT; senior 
warden, O. Perry; jimior warden, William McKce ; scribe. William H. Lowe; 
treasurer, Peter B. Reeves. 

Canton T. R. Martin, No. 8, Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. 1'., which is the 
uniformed rank of the order, was named after its first commander. November 
16, 1893, although it had been instituted on May 30, 1883, first as the Ives Degree 
Camp, X'o. 9, and later, March 31, 1886, as Canton Waterbury. It now has a 
membership of no. Its present officers are: Captain. Karl L. Winter; lieu- 
tenant, Louis Marggraff; ensign, Louis Wenzel ; clerk. Robert .\. Babcock : 
accountant, G. A. Stafstrom. 

On June 15, 1892, Winona Lodge, No. 8, of the Daughters of Rebekah was 
instituted with Mrs. Elizabeth Geddes as first noble grand. On January i, 1893, 
its membership was over one hundred. It today has a membership of nearly 
three hundred. The officers at present are : Noble grand, Winona Russell ; vice 
grand, Mrs. Margarite Maxwell ; recording secretary, Mrs. Ida Wildman : finan- 
cial secretary, Mrs. Ada Reeves; treasurer, Mrs. Tillie Cleveland. 



w'ATF.R r.nn- axd tfii-: xalcatuck \ ai.i.i-a- 253 

The Odd Fellows Hall Association holds meetings the third l'"ridav in lanu- 
ary, April, July and October. Tiu- president is W. J. I.arkin; secretary and 
treasurer, V. W . Tate. 

These are the activities of the Independent (Jrder of ( )dd i-'ellnws. 

Jn addition there is a lodsje kncjwn as Loyal Pride of (he Xallev. .\'o. -227,. 
I. O. O. F'., Manchester I'nity, which was instituted Sei>trnil)ei- 30. iSc)^. Its 
present ofificers are: Noble grand. James I'heden; \ice grand. Aiiilinn\ C'arabina ; 
P. S., George Helton ; treasurer, tieorge S. I'ields. 

The Odd Fellow lodge organized by colored men is known as r.ras> City 
Lodge, No. 3049, (jrand United Order of Odd Fellows, organized November iO, 
1888. Its present officers are: N. G., A. Wooders ; P. S.. ]. P. Lassiter; treasurer. 
Shepard Munn ; 1'. N., F. W. W. Holland; N. !•.. Isaac f'-roman. 

Household of Ruth, No. jyg, G. U. (X of ( ). 1'.. which is the woman's adjunct 
of the Brass City Lodge, was organized November _\^ iSij.'. and at present li.as 
the following officers : AL. N. G. Ella McKinney ; P. M.. .V. ( .. \'aiidelli,i l.outher; 
prelate. Susan Brown; W. R.. Henrietta Hatcher; treasurer. J. ICdward Jones. 

The Odd Fellows Hall was dedicated October 15. 1895. celebrating the ending 
of a half century of existence of the order in Waterbury. The association was 
organized in June, 1892, with Past Grand Master George H. Cowell as president; 
Past Grand John Blair, vice president; Past Grand Casimir H. Bronson, secre- 
tary, and Henry T. Stednian. treasurer. A charter was granted and the capital 
stock, placed at $40,000. was soon subscribed. One of the first acts of the asso- 
ciation was the [)urchase of the property owned and occu])ied by the Second 
Congregational Society at the east end of the Green and in |S(;4 ;i board of 
directors and a building committee were elected to carry out the building project. 
The directors were George H. Cowell, Henry T. Stednian, l);i\id I'.. Wilson. Jay 
H. Hart, Benjamin L. Coe. Herbert W. Lake. James S. (iailey, Henry L. Wade. 
John Blair. Albert L Chatfield. Thomas D. Barlow. Henrv W. French. Casimir 
H. Bronson, Frederick E. Cross. The building committee consisted of ( leorge 
H. Cowell, Albert L Chatfield, Herbert \V. Lake. The plans were drawn by Wil- 
fred E. Griggs, a member of the order. The corner stone w,is laid November 2y, 
1894, and the building was dedicated October 15, 1895. 

It is well to chronicle again the fact that in October, i8()2. tiie Odd Fellows 
Home for Aged and Infirm Members was opened in New London, a result of the 
efforts of Grand Master George H. Cowell, of Waterbury, who made the first 
contribution of $500. 

On April 21, 1895, what was known as Connecticut Lodge, No. 6. International 
Order of Odd Fellows, was organized as a Catholic branch of the Odd Fellows. 
It began with a membership of 34. and with D. H. Tierney as its first noble grand. 
The growth was slow and the flow of Catholic membership towards the Knights 
of Columbus compelled its promoters to dissolve it in 1902. Its last officers were : 
Noble grand, Michael Driscoll ; vice grand, Thomas Donahue ; recording secre- 
tary, John S. Neagle ; corresponding secretary, John J. Geraghty ; treasurer, Daniel 
E. Cronin. 

KNTGIfrS 0I~ PYTIII.\S 

Speedwell Lodge, No. 10, K. of P., is still one of the banner lodges of the 
state, a reputation it acquired at the state encampment held in W.iterbury in 
September, 1894. Out of this lodge has come a group of notable Pythian 
activities, both in the way of splendid beneficiary work and also of military training 
in the uniformed rank. The membership of the order in Waterbury today is 
placed at over 2,000. 



254 ^\^\TERP.URY AXD 'ITU': XAUGATUCK \•AI.1.E^• 

The officers of Speedwell Lodge at ])rcsent are : Chancellor commander, Edwin 
E. Fry; vice chancellor, Wm. Klebes; prelate, In-ank P. Dews; master of works, 
C. Rockwell Clyne ; keeper of record and seals, I'rank J. Ogden ; master of finance, 
Frank M. Treat; master of exchequer, Clifford Wells; master of arms, Benjamin 
Port ; inner guard, George Wells ; outer guard, Harry Upson ; physician. Dr. Ed- 
ward Kirschliaum ; trustees. Dr. Fred Marggraiif, George \\'ells. Edward Wells. 

Speedwell Lodge on December lo had 287 members. 

The Pythian Aid Association of Speedwell Lodge is now in its twenty-fifth 
year of existence. It pays $5 a week sick benefit, and $100 death benefit. It has 
125 members. Its officers are: President, George H. \\'ells ; secretary, E. R. 
Snagg; treasurer, Edward B. Condet. 

The past chancellor commanders of Speedwell Lodge, Knights of Pythias, 
from 1893 to 1917 are as follows: George W. Kinney, James .\. Knox, Clyde M. 
Howard, Wm. E. Thorns, Wm. R. Hitchcock, John A. Hitchcock. Lewis M. Hol- 
land, Ed. 1). Condet, Benjamin Fairclough, Arthur J. Leonard, l'"rederick C. Marg- 
graff, G. Fred Moore, P. Besancon, George F. Lancaster, Arthur M. lies, Ralph 
Stoddard, Robert Babcock, Frank L. Snagg, \N'allace Duxbury. Dr. Edward H. 
Kirschbaum, Joseph G. Kirschbaum. 

Comstock Lodge, No. 13, K. of P., was instituted October 30, 1883. Its 
officers at present are : Chancellor commander, James Miller ; keeper of record and 
seals, Martin L. Wieg^er; master of finance, Nelson F. Thomas; master of ex- 
chequer, George E. Petitjean. 

The past chancellor commanders of Comstock Lodge since 1893 are as fol- 
lows : Charles S. Bradley, J. C. Lang, W. W. McLennan, John M. Newell, John 
Houston, F. S. Phelps, W. H. Black, Charles Manville, Leon L. Hall, Percy D. 
Petitjean, Leonard S. Tenney, Carl Kilborn, Charles S. Townsend, Adam Wilkie, 
James Miller. 

Good Will Lodge, No. 53. K. of P.. in Waterxille, was instituted April 30, 
1894. Its officers at present are: Chancellor commander, \\'illiani Bower; keeper 
of record and seals, Charles H. Draper; itiaster of exchequer, Josej^h A. Gagnon; 
master of finance, Newell Porch. 

Magnolia Lodge, No. 60, K. of P., was instituted Alay 13, 1896. Its officers 
at present are : Chancellor commander. Wm. P. Jones ; keeper of record and seals, 
H. S. Miller ; master of finance. John C. Clarke ; master of exciiequer, Charles 
Drubva. 

The Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, now has its state headquarters 
in Waterbury, with George E. Petitjean brigade commander. Col. Martin L. 
Wiegner, assistant adjutant general, and Col. William Tysoe. assistant quarter- 
master general. 

This change of headquarters to Waterbury was made in 1916. There is 
under the brigade commander in this part of the state the second regiment, which 
consists of the companies from Salisbury, Torrington, Bristol, Waterbury, Meri- 
den, Waterville. In 1909 when it was organized as a regiment, its first colonel 
was L. L. Hall. Lie was succeeded in 191 2 by George E. Petitjean, who remained 
in command until 1916. The second regiment now has the following officers: 
Colonel, Fred Gauthier, Hartford ; lieutenant colonel. Nelson F. Thomas ; major 
first battalion. Christian Hanson, Hartford; major second battalion, Charles H. 
Draper; adjutant lieutenant. D. Brooks Rubin; quartermaster lieutenant, John 
Wheeler. 

The two Waterbury companies are officered as follows: 

E. I". Durand Company, No. 11, Uniformed Rank, K. P., was instituted 
April I, 1890. The present officers are: Captain, Frank J. Ogden: first lieu- 



\\'ATERru;m" AXD TIII'; XAL'iiAl'UCK N'ALLl'A' 25:> 

tenant, Joseph T. Dick; second lieutonanr. Frank T. Dews: trea-urer. Albert C. 
Kaecher : recorder, Wallace Duxbury. 

The past captains of E. F. Dtiraml Du. L'. K., K. 1'. from 1X1)3 to mij were: 

F. R. White, C. L. Chapellc. Charles Schmidt. Frank J. Ugden, Edward J. 
Schuyler, Wilfred L. Snow, F. B. F. Wallace, Ernest C. Colby. 

Waterbury Compan)-. No. 20, l'. R., K. I'., was instituted May 3. 1S04. It-; 
oflicers at present are: Captain, Wade S. ^r:in\ille: tirst lieutenant. Adam Wilkie; 
second lieutenant. S. (1. .M;u-I )(]nald ; recorder. Martin I.. Wieg-ncr : treasurer. V.W 

G. .Main. 

The i)ast captains nf Waterbury Cdinpany. U. R.. K. 1'.. iXiq to nuj are: 
(ieorye E. I'etitjean. Wm. R. Keaxenew David Miller, b'rank R. White. M. I.. 
Wiegner. Jean Ingraham. (KMjrge A. I'ouard. \elM)n F. Thoni;is. l.oren S. Chase, 
Wade S. Manville. 

The following are the officers of Waterville Company, U. R., K. of P.: Cap- 
tain, L. L. Northrop; first lieutenant, Howard C. Post: second lieutenant. William 
Draper; recorder, Joseph Davis; treasurer, Charles H. Draper. 

Section No. 3275, Insurance Department, K. of P., was instituted September, 
1896. The president is \\'illiam M. Strickland: secretary and treasurer. Martin 
L. Wiegner. 

Myrtle Temple, Pythian Sisters, has the following officers; M. of R. and ('., 
Minnie Hitchcock ; M. of F., Charlotte Harmon. 

Ivy Temple, No. 5, Pythian Sisters, has the following officers: M. K. C. Mrs. 
Adelia Fields; M. of R. and C, Mrs. L. Dutton ; M. of F., Mrs. Lottie Petitjean. 

Section 248, Endowinent Rank, K. of P., was instituted in 1892. Its jiresi- 
dent from 1893 to 1909 was Joseph H. Somers. After that date, all the official 
work has been looked after by its secretary and treasurer, Henry Piaumgartner, 
Its membership is small. 

Friedrich Wilhelm Lod.ge. Knights i>i I'ythias. organized in iSjli. was a 
thriving German Lodge in 181)3. ^l ^^'^^ dissolved in 1901, and its members 
joined other lodges of the order. Its past chancellor commanders from 1893 
to 1901 were: P. Meerlaender, Charles Schmidt. (Mto Haude. M. \'ogt. E, Ker- 
sten, C. E. Hassler, O. Tuebner, Frank Deharde. 

\\ Ai i-.kia i;n i.( iDi.i.. i;. r. n. la.KS 

The (Jrder of Elks was instituted in 18(17, by a few members of the theatrical 
profession, drawn together for social intercourse. It has developed into a wide- 
spread and powerful order of benevolence and charity, with lodges in over two hun- 
dred and twenty-five of the principal cities of the LTnion. Nearly all of the rep- 
utable male members of theatrical profession are members of the order, and on its 
roll of membership will be found the names of prominent officials, merchants, 
bankers, journalists, legal and medical men and bright lights of the world in art, 
literature and music. 

Waterbury Lodge was instituteil <in June 15. 1893. It was the si.xth 
Elk lodge organized in Connecticut. The charter members numbered thirty-four 
and the first officers of the lodge were as f ollow-s : Exalted ruler, Michael J. 
Collotv : esteemed leading knight, \\'illiam Hellmann ; esteemed loyal knight, Ed- 
ward J. Starr; esteemed lecturing knight, John F. Holohan : secretary, Joseph A. 
Cullen ; treasurer. James E. Watts ; esquire, \^^illiam D. Richardson ; tyler, Edward 
E. Harvey; chaplain, Thomas J. Moran ; organist, John H. Christie; inner guard, 
William t. Carroll; trustees, David T. Mack. David David, William Johnson. 

It furnished a suite of rooms at 108 Bank Street, where it held its meetings and 



25G WATF.RRURY AND THE NAUGATUCK X'AIXEY 

its affairs until the fire of 1902 completely destroyed its effects. For three years 
it liad rooms in the W'aterbury Trust Com])any lUiilding, but in I90<; it raised 
the funds for the purchase of the Curtiss Home on West Main Street. In 1910 
it built its beautiful home back of the old residence, and the dedication exercises 
were attended by notable Elks from all over the country. 

In 1914 Truman S. Lewis offered the club $16,000 for the complete interior 
renovating of the old building and its outfitting. When the work was completed, 
the cost amounted to $26,100, and Mr. Lewis insisted on making this the amount 
of his donation. This included the new bowling alleys and tennis courts. 

Its present officers are : Exalted ruler, Truman S. Lewis ; secretary, Edward 
E. Moran ; treasurer, Maurice C. Culhane ; tyler, John F. Griffin. 

The following is a list of the past exalted rulers: Michael J. Colloty, 
William D. Richardson, Christopher Strobel, Richard F. Grady, Edward L. 
.Maloney, John II. Cassidy, James E. Madigan, William H. Johnston, William 
J. .Spain, Acly W. Castle, Charles A. Jackson, Lewis 'SI. Holland, William J. 
Sliannahan. Thomas B. Carney, Harry J. Cook, Milton \'. Medling. Andrew D. 
Dawson. 

KXICHTS OF COLUMBUS 

The Knights of Columbus, a fraternal and beneficent society of Catholic men, 
was founded in New Haven F'ebruary 2, 1882, by Father M. J. McGivney, a 
Waterbury man, whose grave in St. Joseph's Cemetery has become a shrine for 
members of the order from all over the country. The purpose of the society is 
thus stated : "To develop a practical Catholicity among its members, to promote 
Catholic education and charity, and through its insurance department, to furnish 
at least temporary financial aid to the families of deceased members." 

W^aterbury's two councils have been heavy contributors to all the national 
movements of the order, including the gift of $50,000 for the endowment of a 
chair of American history in the Catholic university in Washington, and the fund 
for the monument to Columbus at W'ashington. 

Sheridan Council of Waterbury was one of the twenty-five highest donors to 
the university fund which was formally presented April 14, 1904. 

On April 27, 1885, steps were taken to organize the first Waterbury Council 
of the order, and on May 3, the initiation took place in the G. A. R. Hall. The 
first officers were: Cornelius Maloney, grand knight; M. F. Connolly, deputy 
grand Knight ; J. A. Hynes, recording secretary ; Matthew Kennedy, treasurer ; 
W. F. Dillon, lecturer; T. D. Healy, advocate; J. J. Donegan. warden; T. F. 
Butler, outside guard; D. J. Mahaney, inside guard; J. H. Fruin, H. D. Smythe, 
assistant guards; D. J. Gaynor. J. J. l\gan. \\'. E. Buckley, trustees; J. J. Neville, 
physician. 

Sheridan Council had grown to such an extent that on I'ebruary 3. 1886, 
the first move was made to organize a new council to be known as Carrolton 
Council. On March 24. 1886, in Sheridan Hall, East Main Street, the new coun- 
cil was instituted, the degrees conferred and the officers installed by District 
Deputy Cornelius Maloney. The following were the first officers and members 
of the new council: J. A. Moran, grand knight; D. H. Tierney, deputy grand 
knight; M. H. Brennan, chancellor: George Byrnes, recording secretary; T. F. 
Jackson, financial secretary; D. T. Hart, treasurer; M. F. Spellman, warden; 
M. I. Jordan, inside guard; ]. 11. Kilduff, outside guard; Dr. E. W. McDonald, 
l)hysician ; D. H. McGraw, Robert McGrath, W. S. Jones. J. E. Watts. John J. 
Jackson, Peter Lamb, D. Id. Buckley, A. J. McMahon. 



\\"ATP;!<i;ruv a.xd riii': .\al'(;;atuck \-alley 257 

This was dissolved May 0, 1895, and ils iiiciiil)ers at once affiliated with Sher- 
idan Council. 

On December 16, 1888, Sheridan Council moved from C. /\. R. Hall to St. 
Patrick's Hall, going two years later to I'ythian Hall. In iXcjh it met in Elks 
Hall in the Jones-Morgan Uuilding, and January i, 1902, moved to Knights of 
Columbus Hall at 43 East Main Street, wliere it is now domiciled and where its 
social adjunct, the Columbus Club, occupies the floor below its meeting place. 

The past grand knights of Sheridan Council are as follows: Cornelius Ma- 
loney, J. J. McDonald, I'.. 1'. Keid, J, A. Moran, J, D. Bolan. J. \V. Wigmore, 
J. W. McDonald, J. E. Smith, T. [•. Ilonovan. J, A. Hynes, E." |. l-'um, l.ucien 
Wollf, John J. Calvin, i'. H. Real, Charles E.' Einley, E. J. Re.al, Tlioiuas 1'.. 
Carney, Dr. D. J. Donahue, M. J. C'arney, John L. Gaffney, W'm. V. Moher, 

Its membership now is approximately tl\'e hundred. 

The jiresent officers are: Grand knight, John E. (iaffney ; deputy grand knight, 
Timothy 1". Barry; recording secretary, William F. Guilfoile; liuancial secretary, 
Thomas l'\ Behan. 

On August 10, 1S87. in the hall of .'^heridan Council, the third council, 
which was known as Barcelona Coimcil, Xo. 42, was institiUed and officers in- 
stalled as follows by District Dejiuty Cornelius Maloney: (irand knight, John I"". 
Bossidy ; deputy grand knight, Thomas Kane; financial secretary, J. J. Madden; 
recording secretary, Jeremiah Crowley ; treasurer, VVm. C. McDonald ; warden, 
Wm. J. Delaney ; inside guard, Thomas Bcrgin ; outside guard, Thomas Meming; 
physician, Dr. J. F. f-^ayes. 

The members of Barcelona ('onncil joined with Sheridan memliers in (organ- 
izing the Columbus Club. In i<)ij Barcelona's principal (jfficers were: (irand 
knight, William F. Ryan; recording secretary. Thomas I!)odds ; linancial secretary, 
Michael 1-". Conlon ; treasnrei', Walter M Monagan. 

There have been two other councils. Ilenflrickeu. estalilished in i8ij() and dis- 
solved in 1900, and Mulc;diy Council, established in Kjoo and dissoKed in iijio. 
Both were active for a time, but tin- mem1)ership was linally merged with both 
Sheridan and Piarcelona Councils. 

The lirst annual pilgrimage to the grave of leather McGi\ney. founder of the 
order of the Knights of Columbus, took ])lace June 10. 1900. Sheridan entered 
heartily into the affair, and on June 10 visiting knights from New ^■ork, Brook- 
lyn and many places in Connecticut, with their friends to the numlier of 
about five thousand came to Waterbury. The local councils prepared for them on a 
grand scale, and this event was one of the most memorable in the history of the 
order. New and increased interest was taken in the Knights of Columbus at once, 
and as a result, the old councils received a number of new members. 

The second annual pilgrimage of the Knights of Columbus to the grave of the 
founder of the order, Rev. M. J. McGivney, took place June 10, 1901. 

The insurance feature has been greatly altered since the inceiition of the 
society. At present it is confined to three classes, one, two and three thousand, 
and payments are made by assessment and according to age. 

Columbus Club occupies the greater part of the third floor at 43 East Main 
Street. This has been finely furnished, has billiard and pool tables, a comi)lete 
library, and files of many newspapers and magazines. It is now five years old. 
Its first officers were: President, Charles J. Finley; secretary, Frank J. Ilogan; 
treasurer, Edward J. Real. 

Its present officers are : President. T. F. Barry ; secretary. Paul Schultze ; 
treasurer, Raymond F. Downey. 

The Knights of Columbus in December, 1917, raised $35,000 for the order's 

Viil. 1—17 



258 WATJ'IRr.URY AXD THE NAUGATLXK \-ALLEY 

national "canij>" fund, which is to be used along the lines of the Y. M. C. A. for 
the benefit of the boys in the army. 

ANCIENT ORUEU OK II IDKKKIANS 

In 1895 the Ancient Order of Hibernians with a membership of 1,600 was 
operating in five divisions, all of which held meetings in St. Patrick's Hall. Their 
presidents were: Division No. i, James E. Finley; Division No. 2, John M. Lynch; 
Divison No. 3, James P. Morris; Division No. 4, John li. ^loran ; Division No. 5, 
M. Doran.- These had been organized respectively in 1874, 1884, 1886, 1888 and 
the fifth on October 12, 1893. 

In 1898 the growth had been such that a si.xth division was organized with 
John II. I'owers as president, Patrick K. Finnan as recording secretary, Charles 
E. McDonald as financial secretary, and J. H. Mulville as treasurer. Meeting 
places had again been changed. Divisions 2, 4 and 5 meeting in Hibernian Hall 
at 7;^ East Main Street. The first and sixth met at G. .\. R. Hall, and the third 
in Congress Hall. 

In 1903 the interest in the order was at- its highest, and a ladies' auxiliary was 
formed, with Margaret Crane as president, Mary Cavanaugh as vice president, 
Annie Mcara as recording secretary, Mary Ilalpin as financial secretary, and 
Mary Phelan as treasurer. 

In 1904. Com])any E, Hiliernian Ritles, was organized with John Griffin as 
captain, William Moher, first lieutenant, and John P. Sheehan as second lieutenant. 
An experienced drill master was engaged and drills were held from October 1st 
to May 1st every Tuesday in Hi1)ernian Hall. From 1908 until 1916 it held its 
drills on Sundays. 

In 191 1 Peter Griffin became first lieutenant and Patrick Shanahan second 
lieutenant. In 191 2 Peter Griffin became captain, Patrick Shanahan first lieu- 
tenant, and William Driscoll second lieutenant. 

Company E, Hibernian Rifles, which is still in existence, with Peter Griffin 
as captain, Patrick Shanahan, first lieutenant, and William Driscoll as second 
lieutenant, has held no drills since 1916, owing to the fact that many of its mem- 
bers either volunteered or were called out in the draft. 

In 1905 Division No. 6, which had sufl'ered a loss in membership, gave up its 
charter and its members joined the other divisions. 

The order now began to feel the encroachments of the Knights of Columbus 
on its membershii) and interest waned to some extent. In 1909 the members 
of the second and fifth divisions joined to form Monsignor Slocum F,ranch with 
these officers: President, D. J. Slavin ; vice president, T. F. Luddy ; recording 
secretary, P. Shanahan; financial secretary, Joseph McGrail, and M. Bergin, 
treasurer. In 1910 the members of Division No. i dissolved and joined the re- 
maining branches. Divisions Nos. 3 and 4 and Monsignor Slocum Division. 
These are the organizations in existence today. 

The present officers of the various organizations connected with the order 
follow : 

Division No. 3 : President, Timothy F. Luddy ; financial secretary, John 
Kearney ; recording secretary, Patrick Kendrick ; treasurer. John Claffey. 

Division No. 4: President, Patrick McFadden ; financial secretary, Bernard 
Whitenv ; recording secretary, Joseph Holahan ; treasurer, John D. Carey. 

Ladies' Auxiliary, A. O. H. : President, Mrs. Charles A. Jackson; recording 
secretary, Nellie Lynch; financial secretary, Mary E. Kelly; treasurer. Mrs. John 
Lynch ; chaplain, Rev. Luke Fitzsimons. 



WATHRl'.UKV AND Till: XAUCiATUCK \ ALl.MY 259 

Mgr. Slocuin Ih-anch, A. O. II.: rresi(.knt. William H. Dunlcavy : recurdiiig 
secretary, William J. Driscoll; financial secretary, John J. l-'oran ; treasurer, 
George A. Hynes. 

ANCIENT ORDER OF rNITl-D WORKMEN 

W'aterbury Lodge, No. 5, of the Ancient < 'rder of L'nitrd Workmen was 
instituted August 3, 1880, with twehe charter niemhers. ■i'hi> grew to J50 in 
1895 and today is close to that figure. The otlicers at present are: master work- 
man, J. E. .Sandland ; recorder, J. .\. ( iarde : treasurer, (j. .\1 . h'.gan ; recei\er, 
'L. A. Totten. 

American l.ndge. Xo. 44, was iiislituted januar\' -'3, iSijd. It> officers at 
present are : .Master workman, .ViiIIk my AliMire: recorder. Ellswonh (1. Reynolds; 
financier, Henry J. Reynolds. 

Connecticut Lodge, No. 52, was instituted May iS, i8()_'. It- present officers 
are: Master workman, W'. If. lirakenridge ; recorder, Charles I'.aumgartner ; 
financier, James McKnight. 

ANCIENT OKliER OF FOKluSTERS 

There are now in existence in the L'nited ."^tates four distinct orders which 
use the name 'T'oresters." The uriginal lodge formed in W':iterhury, July S, 
1874, Court Fruitful Vine, Xo. 5001, Ancient (jrder oi lMire>ters, was and is 
still under the English jurisdiction. In 1881). When the first separation came, the 
courts upheld it in its right to the title, "Ancient ( )r<ler of Foresters.'' 

The present officers of Court Frutiful Nine .are: Chief ranger, George John- 
son; past chief ranger, Artlun- W. 'fhomiison : recc.irding secretary, J. W. Mc- 
Keller; financial secretary, D(jnald .McKeller; treasurer, Charles E. Turner. 

F0UEsri-:Ks of amfkh .\ 

In i88q the .\merican order assumed the title "Foresters of America" and was 
completely sejiarated from its English connections. In 1803 it w:i^ an indepemlenl 
American order. 

It had nine courts, three side dt'grees and about twehe luindre<l niemhers. 
Today it has fourteen courts, with a membershiii over double that of i8()5. Its 
activities as at present organized are as follows : 

Court Shields, Xo. 20, F. of A., was instituted May 4, 1887. Its officers at 
present are as follows: Chief ranger, Andrew .Stine; financial secretary, M. F. 
McKennerney ; recording secretary. William A'ance : treasurer, Patrick Harry. 

Court W'aterbury, No. 3, F. of A.: Chief ranger, Roger Lynch; recording 
secretary, ITenry LI. Ilayden ; financial secretary, John Z. Dowling; treasurer, 
James J. Connelly. 

Court Falcon, No. 44, F. of A., instituted July 12, 1889. Its officers at present 
are : Chief ranger, Thomas OT.eary, Jr. ; recording secretary, Edward Herbert ; 
financial secretary, James P. Herbert ; treasurer, Patrick G. Egan. 

Court Linden, No. 75, F. of A., was instituted August i, 1802. Its officers 
at present are: Chief ranger, John Finnerty; financial secretary, Joseph S. W'ors- 
ley ; recording secretary, John r>. Marcoux ; treasurer, Thomas ;\L McGrath. 

Court Welch, No. 84, F. of A., has the following officers: Chief ranger, Joseph 
McArdle ; financial secretary, George H. Heckelman ; recording secretary, Joseph 
A. Brenneis ; treasurer, Elmer J. Chatfield. This is the W^atervillc branch of the 
lodge. 



260 WATICRIiURY AND THE NAUGATUCK X'ALLEY 

Court Martin Ilellman, No. 86, F. of A., was instituted November 7, 1894. 
The officers at present are : Chief ranger, WilHam J. Caldwell ; financial secretary, 
James Cosgrove ; recording secretary, Patrick Kendrick ; treasurer, Paul Asheim. 

Court America, No. 98, F. of A. : Chief ranger, John Vose ; financial secretary, 
Benjamin W. Johnson; recording secretary, George H. Clark; treasurer, June D. 
Cashnian. 

Court Oregon, No. 138, F. of A.: Chief ranger, Edward I'^oley; recording sec- 
retary, Thomas Ilyrnes; financial secretary, William F. (hiilfoilc; treasurer, James 
McKnight. 

Court Richard Wagner, No. 139, F. of A., has the following officers: Chief 
ranger, R. G. Amberg; financial secretary, Louis H. Pellinitz; recording secretary^, 
H. E. Wilhaus; treasurer, John J. Siefen. 

Court Champlain, No. 146, F. of A., has the following officers: Chief ranger, 
Henri Vigcant; financial secretary, Charles Charpentier; recording secretary, 
Emile A. Schneider ; treasurer, Ralph L. Brandely. 

Court D. B. Hamilton, No. 147, F. of A.: Chief ranger, IT. Miller; financial 
secretary, B. F. lloggctt; recording secretary, M. Cossett ; treasurer, Stanley B. 
Heaton. 

Court Guiseppe Verdi, No. 151, F. of A., has the following officers: Chief 
ranger. Santolo D'Andrea ; financial secretary, Nicola Garzia ; recording secre- 
tary, Angelo G. Stanco; treasurer, M. Pesce. 

Nordsjcrnum Lodge, No. 165, S. F. of A., has the following officers: Presi- 
dent, David Dahlstrom ; secretary. Arvid IMorten ; financial secretary, Oscar Rich- 
ardson ; cashier, Edward Strom. 

Pine Rock Circle, No. 29, Lady Foresters of America: Chief commander, 
Mrs. Mary Dechon ; sub. chief commander, Sophia Carroll; recording secretary, 
Helen Cross; financial secretary, Catherine McNeish; treasurer, Mary C. Goe- 
merly. 

INDEPENDICNT OKDKR OF FORESTERS 

The Independent Order of Foresters was a further separation, and was or- 
ganized solely for insurance purposes. Court Waterbury, No. 3578, was estab- 
hshed June i, 1897. Its officers are: Chief ranger, William La Force; financial 
secretary, Thomas A. ]\Iaton ; recording secretary, George A. Hines ; treasurer, 
Adam Wilkie. 

Court Eugenie, No. 794, I. O. F. : Chief ranger. Flora Gagne; recording sec- 
retary, Mrs. Eugenie Dugiiay ; financial secretary, Pomela La France. 

There is also now a Catholic Order of Foresters. 

LOY.\r, ORDER OK MOOSE 

The Loyal Order of Moose, Waterbury Lodge, No. 703, was organized 
August I, 191 1, as the local lodge of the national fraternal organization of that 
name. Its membership today in Waterbury is 1,500. The order pays a sick 
benefit of $7 a week and a death benefit of $100. It also cares for dependent 
orphans. 

Its present officers are: Dictator. Frank II. Bailey; vice dictator, Peter J. 
Shea; past dictator, Thomas W. Parrie ; treasurer, John H. Butler; secretary, 
Cornelius Ilorgan; prelate, Albert Whitaker; trustees, M. A. Gray, Thomas H. 
King, Thomas E. Bywater. 

Its first officers in Waterbury were: Dictator, Alatthew J. Smith; past die- 



WATF'kl'.L'UV AXIJ TUK .\.\L"GATl\K \ ALLE\- 'JGl 

tator, Robert PaliiKT; \'ice dictator. Herbert ]-:. Hu,t;hes; prelate, Arthur Votini;- : 
treasurer, Howard L. Rogers; secretary, Chris. 1'. J'.annon. 

Meetings were held for eighteen months in the hall at Xo. ii .\(jrth Alain 
Street. After that time, club rooms were leased and elegantly furnished, b'our 
years ago, the lodge moved to 95 I'.ank Street, and the club rooms were greatly 
enlarged. They are now ke])t open daily for the entertainment of its members. 

t)RDER 01- iii:i'r.\sciriis 

Until y\ugust I. 1917, there were three cundaxes of the lmiir(]\ed ( )rder of 
Heptasophs, a fraternal insurance organization. These were Watcrliurv Conclave. 
No. 326; Silas Eronson Conclave. Xo. (131, and |;ici|ues Cartier ('iincla\e, Xo. 
810. The membership of these was about three hundred, althdugh si)ice its insti- 
tution in Waterbury in 1S88 it hail ;it one time .itl.imed to a membership of o\er 
six hundred. 

On August 1st all these grcjups which desired in cmninne the insur.ince were 
taken over by the I'Y-deral .\i(l L'nion of L.iwiencc. Kan., which assumed all of 
the liabilities of the old order of lleptasoph-. 

i-KAiF.RN.M. okhi-r oi- i:.\(;li-:s 

The Fraternal Order of b'agles, \\';iterliurv Aerie, .Xo. 2,j<). the bn-al branch 
of a national organization, which is largely soci.il, w;is e^tabli^he(l April jS, ii)o_^. 
It now has a membership of 1,-75. l" ^larch. I'H'', Ibe local aerie purchased the 
Waterbury Club lluilding on Xorth .Main ."street. 

The Eagles have had a prosperous career in W'.nterbury. .\t its recent bazaar, 
which was given in Buckingham Hall for the ])nr])ose of seciu'ing a building and 
furnishing fund, the stmi of S4.700 was raised, a good start for its ]iur]iose. It is 
believed that it will in the sjjring of ii)i8 have enough money in its building fund 
to begin the erection of its new dance hall in the rear of the present bcintiful 
club house. 

At its election held in December, it elected the fdllowing oftrcers : President, 
John H. Crery ; vice president, Edward l^jjey ; secretary, Dennis R. Mitchell; 
treasurer, t_'harles Lynch; chaplain. Martin llayden; recording secretary. Patrick 
Hogan; trustees, TlKJinas D. Tem]ile, lul. 1. \Valsh, Edward .Mraz. 

Its first meeting place was at jSS South Main Street, .and its officers in ii)06, 
the year of its organization here, were : President, I. ( '. I lareii ; secretary, Dennis 
R,. Mitchell; treasurer. P. J. Courtney. 

In 1908 it moved to Knights of Columbus Hall and in mio to Eagle's Hall 
at 151 Bank Street. There it fitted up beautiful club rooms, and rem.ained until 
it purcliased the property of the Waterbury Club. 

1 .Ml'Ri iVi:i> OROEK OF K'D MIX 

The Improved < )rder of Red Men lia\e two tribes in Waterbury, with a 
Woman's Auxiliary. It is :\ social, secret, fraternal and benevolent associ.ition. 
and its first Connecticut (ireat ("nuncil was organized in .Vugust, 1887. On 
December 15, 1880. Waterbury's lirst tribe came into existence. Its officers at 
present are : 

Tunxis Tribe, Xo. 10, C. of R.. E. M. Clarck ; C. of W.. W. V. luigert ; K. 
of W., Edward M. Dwyer. 

Toantick Tribe, Xo. 22. was instituted ( )ctober H), i8<)_'. Its officers are: 



262 WATERBURY A\D THE NAUGATL'CK \-ALLEY 

Sachem, George Pond; C. of R.. William S. r.olton ; C. of \\'., ]''rank A. Wells; 
K. of W., II. I-. Bassett. 

Momamton Council, Xo. 5, D. of P. is the ladies' branch of the organiza- 
tion, and has the following officers : Pocahontas, Mrs. Katherine Turrell ; K. of 
R., Mrs. Louis lirown; K. of W., Mrs. Clara Leonard. 

ORDKR OF UNITED .\ M I:KIC.\N MECH.^NICS 

'J'he Order of United .American Mechanics was organized in Pliiladel])hia, as 
a patriotic organization. It later extended its activities and hecame a beneficiary 
as well as a social and patriotic society. Franklin Council, Progressive Council, 
Martha Washington Council, as well as the Gen. Joseph Warren Commandery, 
have all been merged into the parent body, Excelsior Council. Xo. 2, or the 
Woman's .Xuxiliary, Lady Trumbull Council, Xo. 5, Daughters of Liberty. 

Excelsior Council, Xo. 2, O. U. A. M.. was instituted Eebruary i, 1877. 
The officers are: Councilor, E. F. Partiss ; recording secretary, D. L. Russell; 
financial secretary, LI. W. Edwards ; treasurer, C. S. Ryder. 

Lady Trumbull Council, Xo. 5, Daughters of Liberty, instituted June 30, 
1882. Councilor, Charles Gibson; recording secretary, Rachel Chase; financial 
secretary, Clara Wilmarth ; treasurer, Abbie Seeley. 

Fidelity Coimcil, No. 47, Sons and Daughters of Liberty. Councilor, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Richmond; recording secretary, Mrs. Fannie Warner; financial secre- 
tary, Mrs. Lettie J. Flood; treasurer, Mrs. Frank Pdakeslec. 

Progressixe Council, United C_)rder of American Mechanics, was in 1895 a 
young and flourishing coimcil which had been organized on February 22, 1893. 
In 1897 its meml)crship had grown so small that it surrendered its charter, the 
members joining Excelsior Council of the order. 

Gen. Joseph Warren Commandery, United Order of American Mechanics, 
was organized in 1892 by the members of Progressive and E.xcelsior councils, as 
the uniformed rank of the order. Its officers in 1S95 were: Captain, I'-. J. 
Schuyler; lirst lieutenant, A. J. Scott; second lieutenant, C. A. Green. 

These officials, together with the members, decided in 1896 to surrender the 
charter as the membership was too small for effective drill work. 

MODERN WOODMEN OE .\MKKIC.\ 

The Modrrn Woodmen of America, a national fraternal and insurance organ- 
ization, with he;id(|uartcrs in Rock Island. 111., organized Rosedale Cam]), No. 
9,615, in Waterljury on May i, ig02. It now has 174 members. Its present 
officers are: Coiuiscl, David McXamara : clerk, George S. llusker; banker. 
Edward Keenan. 

WOODME.X OE THE WORLD 

The Woodmen of the World, a national fraternal and insurance organization, 
has four camps in Waterbury. The first of these. White Oak Camp, No. 3, was 
established in 1896 and Arbutus Camp, No. 8, came soon after this date. The 
total membership in Waterbury in 1917 is 1,500. The officials of each of the 
camps arc as follows : 

White Oak Camp, Xo. 3, C. C, II. Cook; clerk, W. E. Roberts; b.anker, 
O. G. Rabe. 

Arbutus Camp, Xo. 8. C. C. D. F. Cass ; clerk, H. W. Edwards ; banker, 
F. C. Meisinger. 



wat]';ri;l;uv axd nil'; xal-catuck a'alley 2g:j 

I'iiic Cain|i, Xn. <>X. C. C, Dr. ( ;. C'. .Man^ini; clerk, Saiiloln D'Amlrea: 
banker, Donato Alargiotto. 

\\(ii;k.mi;x's ciiu i.i-: 

1 he iiatinnal fraternal and in^nraiue nrj^anizaticju known as WUrknien's Circle, 
has tliree l)ranehes in Waterlmry. W'cirkinen's (. ircle. Xn. .2(1, was urbanized in 
March, 1903, and now has a nKnihersliip of 155. Workmen's Circle, I '.ranch 
137, organized in 1910, lias a nieniijerslii]j of 120. Workmen's Circle, Ladies' 
Branch irp, h.is now a membership of 40. 'J'he order h.is its own sanitarium 
at Liberty, X. \'., where il cares for those of its members who are stricken A\'ith 
tuberculosis. Jt pays sicl< and death benefits. 

The officers are: Circle _'(i, ( leor.tjc Fisher, secretar\- : treasurer, j. ( ireen- 
blatt; Circle 137. secretary, AL .'^.iltzman : tie.isurer, 11. Leldman ; Cirek- njo, 
secretary, Ln-ssie l'asst-1 ; treasurer, Mrs. AI.ix Levin. 

.sn.xs OI-' sr. (.I'.oi^ci-. 

The order of Sons of .St. (K(iri;e is a ]iroi;ressive fratern.d society which 
English residents in the Lnited Slates formed as a social ;md liinelit orL;aiii/.;i- 
tion. Idawthorne L(.idg<-, Xo. J13. was instituted in \\aierlnn\ inl\- (1, iS.'~!3. 
Its membership is natiually limited, though at present it is well over the hundred 
mark. Its officers for U)\j are: W. 1'., 11. I". M.atthew-: W. 1'., ( i. R. Lewis; 
secretary, Thomas Lloilkinson. 

siii-:i'ii i:i<i)S (IV i;i.i iii.i.iii;m 

Shepherds of Lethlehem. Uadiant .S|;n', Xo. 2, is a woman's fraternal and 
benefit organization. Its present ol'ticeis are: CUmniander, Mrs. ( iracc [•'.. C'an- 
dee; scribe, Mrs, .Susie AL tirariger; accouul:mt, .\lis. Jennie C. .\inslce: treas- 
urer, Mrs. Llelcn M. Stanley. 

Kxiciirs ni- Tin: e.oi.Dr.x i':.\(iLi': 

The following are the officers of Amity C.istle, Xo. 11, Knights (d' the ( iolden 
Eagle: Noble chief. Willi:nn .Ak-X.ius^ht : m.aster of records, ]■. W. Reynolds: 
clerk of cxche(|uer. IL W. ]'"d\v.irds; kee|icr of exih('(|Uer. Willi:im Ihitton. 

It has in addition to its insur.ance feature, an .adjunct in the .\mity .Social 
Club, which iias finely furnished club rocims adjoining the lodge hall at i^C) 
Grand Street. .\11 the members of the ,\mity lodge are entitled to club privileges. 

Xi;W I'lXCI.AXI) ONDICI; (II- I'ROriXIIOX 

The Waterbury lodges of the Xew F.ngland Order of rroteclion celebrated 
the thirtieth anniversary of the organization of the order Xo\ ember 15. 11)17. 
The first lodge in Waterbury w.as .\rcher Lodge. Xo. 4. established June i. iSSS. 
the year following the founding of the order. Since its foundation it has paid 
out in the five New England states, which comprise its jurisdiction. $17,000,000 
in insurance. It has now pl.aced its rates on a new basis, insuring permanency 
to the order. 

The lodges with d.ate of .org:iniz,ition and pirescnt otTicers are ;is follows: 
Anchor Lod.ge, No. 40. organized June i. i.S8l^. Warden. Ceorge S. Davis; 
secretary, Frank L. Kainz; financial secretary. Edward J. Morg.an ; treasurer. 



264 WATl'.RP.URY AXD THE XAUCATUCK \^\LLKY 

Annie E. liurritt. 'I'iic approximate nK'nilicrshij) in it)ij is two hundred and 
tiiirty. 

Mattalnck Lodge, No. 187, organized March 15, 1892. Warden, I. S. Neill; 
recording secretary, II. W. Alden ; financial secretary, Ira Markle; treasurer, 
(leorge M. Condet. The ajjpro.ximate memhership in 1917 is two hundred. 

Alexander \'on Ilumholdt Lodge, No. 210, organized February 23, 1893. 
Warden, I'llizabeth Huher; recording secretary, Emil C. Steinman ; financial 
secretary, Valentine Hahn; treasurer, Clara .Armhruster. The approximate 
membershi]i in 1917 is two hundred and fifty. 

Brass City Lodge, No. 244, organized December 5, 1894. Warden, Mrs. 
Mary E. Dechon; secretary, Thomas Eddy; financial secretary, Edward Byrne; 
treasurer, Patrick Barry. The approximate membershij) in 1917 is two hundred. 

Sheridan Lodge, organized May 31, 1893. Warden, Jennie A. Turley ; re- 
cording and financial secretary, Joseph O'Connell ; treasurer, John 11. Butler. 
The membership in 19 17 is aj)proximatcly one hundred and seventy-five. 

Waterbury Lodge, No. 486. Warden, Mrs. Sarah Cook; secretary, John 
Parry. The ajjproximatc membershi]) in 1917 is one hundred. 

OKDICR OF OWI.S 

Order of Owls, Waterbury Nest, No. 1,427, has the following officers: Presi- 
dent, J. A. Reed: secretary, W. V. Guilfoile; financial secretary, George M. 
Chapman: treasurer, .A. L. Ilellenstein. 

rNITEP OUDI-U OF PII.CKIM F.\TnF.RS 

Mizpah Colony, .\'o. 163, I'nilcd Order of the Pilgrim Fathers, was organ- 
ized March 15, i8()5, with thirty charter nicmljcrs. Its lirst governor was Jacob 
B. Blakeslee.' 

Its present officers are: Governor. Peinhold R. liook; secretar)', Sarah A. 
Benham; treasurer, Louis R. Silvernail; collector, Helen M. Stanley. 

KNIGHTS OF M.\cr.\BEr;s 

The Knights of the Maccabees, a national fraternal and insurance organiza- 
tion, has three lodges in Waterbury. \'alley Tent, No. 13, organized December 
8, 1896, has a membership of sixty, and Waterbury Tent, No. 36, has between 
fifty and sixty. The Woman's P.enefit Association of the Maccabees is called 
Eagle Hive, No. 16. 

The ofificers of these organizations at present are : 

Knights of the Maccabees. Valley Tent, No. 13: Commander, Charles F. 
Loomis ; lieutenant commander, .\dolph Recker ; record keeper, Colin F. Wilson ; 
finance keeper, Harris Ilayden. 

Knights of the Maccabees, Waterbury Tent, No. 36: Cotnmandcr, Thomas 
W. Gill; lieutenant commander, Patrick J. Lynch; record keeper, T. J. Coyle ; 
finance keeper, William J. O'Brine. 

Woman's Benefit .Association of the Maccabees, Eagle Hive, No. 16: L. C, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Shearon ; L. L. C, Annie Courtney; finance keeper, Julia M. 
Cunningham; record keeper, Mrs. Mary Keefe. 

UN"rrF;n ()I'di:r of tiik coldex cross 

The United Order of the Golden Cross is both an insurance and a temperance 
organization. Sterling Commandery, No. 300, was instituted in 18S6, and in 



wateri;l'k\ AXI) tiii<: xal-catuck \"ALLEY 2^5 

lS(j5 had a mtnibershi]* of 132. This has he-en leihie'ed, but the e(iniinan(ler_v is 
still active in its work and thrixing. Its oftieers al present are; X. C_'.. I ieeirge 
Clapp ; K. of R., Mrs. Annie Kowlev ; 1'. K. of R., Airs. S. .X'ellie I lapp; treasttrer, 
Mrs. Margaret Meeker. 

Till-: ROV.M. AKC.WII.M 

The Koyal Arcanum, a naliunal fralern il and insurance iirgani/..ilion, has one 
council, Mattatuck, Xo. 71,^, in \\'aterl>ury, esl:ihhshed ( )ctci]ier l,^. iNSj. It 
grew to large proiJOrtions and held its nienihership until a few years ago, when 
the lirst change in rates was made eftectixe. .\ finlhcr change in iwid affected 
Mattatuck Council as it did the councils ;dl over the country, where the tiverage 
loss of membership was about 20 per cent. The present officers are as follows: 

Regent, Charles A. Hill; secretary, Walhice K(jberts: collector, Louis A. 
Totten ; treasurer, George W. Watson. 

i'.\'ruoN.s <ii' iifsi'.-WiiRv 

The object of this gix'.at n.itidnal order is the edncitinn and elexaticm <if the 
American farmer, and the soci.al, moral ami intidlectual de\el(ipnient uf its 
members. 

M:id River Grange, Xo. yi. started December i, 1SS7, with fifty ch.arter 
members. During the height of its success. Mad Ri\er (Irange had as many as 
700 names on its list. In 1S05 there were Je)i). Today the list is small, Init 
com])osed of the best f.irmers in this section. It meets weekly in (Irange Hall, 
Mill Plain, during ;dl biU the three suiumer months. Its (jflicers at present .are: 
Master, Merton E. Rcid : overseer. (Jscar 1'.. Tcidd; lecturer, (liarlev .\. Gr.ib.am; 
secretary, Bessie D. Parks. 

ORDICK 01" Tin-: siL\i-:u st.vk 

Martha Washington (.'ouncil. ( )rder of the Silver Star, was a social and sick 
benefit organization which lliuirisbed in |X<)5 ;ind in 1902 had finely furnished 
club rooms in Johnson's llall. The fire of th.it year destroyed all its jiossessions 
and for a time it met in the homes of its members. Its councillor lit this time 
was Frank L. Snagg and he and his associates iK'cided in Tjo,^ tn discontinue the 
meetings. It has never been officially dissolved and still has a sm;ill fund in 
the bank. 

I'Ri^Ncii .sorii-;Tii-:s 

Club .Sadi Carnot vv.as organized August 21, 11JCJ4. Its officers for the present 
year are as follows: President, L. Grasselor; secretary, Pierre Pesancon ; record- 
inc' secretary, T- ^' ■ I'A-sselet ; treasurer, Frank Grabcr. This is an organization 
composed of Euro])can French and is solely for educational ami social purposes. 

Council St. Jean Paptiste d'.Amerique, Xo. 304, was organized June i, 1877. 
Its present officers are: President, Roderick Adaius ; recording secretary, Joseph 
Lecomte; financial secretary, Ch;irle> R. Charpentier ; treasurer, l-Ldmond Thil)aull 

L'Union Fraternelle h"rancai:^e has for officers: President. E. Pou;irrl ; finan- 
cial secretary, C. Didaiu ; recording secretary, J. V. Fesselet ; treasurer, C. (iueble. 

L'Union St. Jean P.aptiste d'Aineri(|ue, Council Laval, Xo. iSij, has the fol- 
lowing officers: President, Poderick .\d,ims : recording secretary, I'liilias Le- 
comte: treasurer, Ivlmond Thibault, 



266 WATERnURY AXD THE XAUGATUCK \-.\I.I.I':Y 

ITAI.IAX S0C1I"TI1-:S 

Below is a list of the Italian societies organized in Watcrhury, with their 
ofificers : 

(J. !•■. i). 1. Order, Sons of Columbus, Xo. 273. President, Charles SciuUo; 
secretary, Joseph CajxDraso; treasurer, Joseph Sciullo. 

O. F. D. I. Vittorio Emanuele, \o. 351. President, Luigi Lerz; secretary, 
X'incenzo (iuarini : treasurer, Giovanni Laudati. 

O. 1'". 1). I. Queen Elena Lodge. No. 222. President, Mrs. Eucian Pinto; 
recording secretary, Airs. Maria A. Carissimi ; financial secretary, Mary G. 
Sciullo; treasurer, Angelina Janiele. 

Order Sons of Italy, Loggia Dante .Mighieri, Xo. 66. \'enerabile, G. Salva- 
tore; recording secretary, L. Carissiini. 

Order Sons of Italy, Loggia Lucitoe, Pro\-. Xo. 1 10. \'enerabile, Xicola M. 
Ventresca ; linancial secretary. Nicola R. Wntresca; treasurer, b'rancesco Ca- 
rissimi. 

Society Opcria i\\iglianese of .Soccorso. President, Canio Rosa; secretary, 
L. Lovallo; treasurer, I-". Verrastro. 

.SWEDISH socncTiics 

Odin r.enetit .Association. Pi-esident. (iustaf R. Lofblad; secretary, Carl 
Xelson ; cashier, Edward Strom. 

Order of \'asa, (jota Lejon Lodge, Xo. 19, was organized January 20, 1900. 
The following are the present officers; President, (iustaf Johnson; secretary, 
Franz Johnson: cashier, Eric Larson. 

GEKM.\N SOCIETIES 

Below is a list of the German societies of Waterbury : 

Concordia Singing- Society. President. John E. Weiss; corresponding secre- 
tary, John Kern ; recording secretary, William Bierbaimi ; financial secretary 
Albert Lampe, Sr. ; treasurer, Wolfgang Schaeffcr. 

The Concordia is justly termed the leading German singing society in the 
state. Twenty-two years ago it elected Hans Saro as its musical director, and 
it is due to his inastcrful training that five first prizes were \yon by the society at 
eight of the state saengcrfests. It began its triumphant career at Bridgeport in 
1898 with a first prize, following it with similar successes at Union City in 1900 
and at Seymour in 1902. It won lirst prize at the State Saengerfest in Hartford 
in 1910 and again at Xew Haven in 191 2. The society numbers lifty active 
members, but in all competitions it is recruited to ninety. 

During the war jjeriod there ha\e been no saengerfests, but these will be 
resumed as soon as conditions are again favorable. In the meantime the society 
continues its local concerts. 

D. O. 11. < ileichheit Mariner Lodge, Xo. 71, was organized October i, 1887. Its 
officers for the ])resent year are: O. B., George Groetzenbach ; secretary, Franz 
J. Keller; cashier, Henry Kluttig; treasurer, Charles Kopp. 

D. O. II. Steuben Lodge. Xo. 391, was oganized February 29, 1876. Its 
officers at present are: O. B., Xicholas Massonnet; .secretary, George Groetzen- 
bach; financial secretary, Henry Kluttig; treasurer, Karl Kopp. 

D. O. II. True Sisters Lodge. No. 28, at present has the following officers : 
O. B., Mrs. Lena Hennegger; secretary, Mrs. Anna Thomas; financial secretary, 
Mrs. Charles Yoos ; treasurer. Mrs. Eliza Schmidt. 



\\.\ ri'l^nikV .\\U TIII' XAl'iiATUCK \.\LLKY 267 

Draniatic Associalioii of Lyra Sinyin.q- SociL-ty has the fullowint; ufficers : 
President, Louis Jositz; seeretary, Au,t;iist I'.eulter. 

Harnionia Jlenevolent Associatidii wa,- iiislilutrd in iS'di. The present offi- 
cers are: 1 'resident, Christian Sehhii,'; srei'itary, lArdinand Schrneder; linancial 
secretary, Joseph Sevetat;; treasurer, lohn iNirsehhainn. 

L (_). ii. I!., AK-L-hizedek Lod-e. Xn. jo< ), lias the fnllnwint: officers: Presi- 
dent, Idernian L W'eisman ; secritary. Louis L. Simons: tre:isin-er, Samuel A. 
Chase. 

The Lyra Singing' Society has tlie fullowing officers: Presiik'nt, Louis jositz; 
financial secretary, Alfred W'aldheini. 

C). D. 11. S. Freundschafts Lodge. No. S. was organized March 3), 1SS7. The 
present ofticers are: President, Iviward Kdslosky ; secret;ir_\-, l',d\v:ird (/ramer; 
hnancial secrefar_\-, Julius X:itnsh ; treasiu'er, h'lalz t'r;nner. 

I he fcilliiwing are the (iffucrs (if the Tin-n\erein \'(ir\\ .aerls ; President, I'red 
crick Cramer: secretary, I'hinl Ihunmel: tinasurer, .\lliert I linnniel. 

The Cnit_\- .\ss()ci:itiiin has the fnjlowing ofticeis : President. Herman j. 
W'eisman: seeretar\', Lnnis L. Simnus: treasurer, .'-^;imnel A. (. hase. 

['. ( ). R. .M., Chland .'^tannn. \'o. iijo. was r!rg:inized lanuar\- _>S. 1.^74. The 
present ollicers are: PresidiaU, Louis ( lidhs ; secret:iry. t Iuisti:in W iemer ; 
cashier. Jacnli llaer; trt^asurer, I\ieliard ,^elh;ick. 

The \\ aterhur\ 1' luuvereiii h;is the fnllowing ciffii-ers: PresideiU. V . 
-Schwaller; corresponding secretar\, K:irl \\ ilki ; ii'e.isnrer, J. ."s.aslnfT. 

The Workmen's .Sick and I )e,ith I'.eiulil Limd, P.r.aneh Xo. 42, was organized 
in I<<gi. The following are the present oflicers : President. (I. Waldheim ; re- 
cording secrtl;ir\', Lmil P.ierli:imn ; fnianci;d secret:ir\'. Charles I'dattnrin: treas- 
urer, L'rank J. ( latter. 

TUP. 1. \1'.( )R ( )kt,.\\lZ.\d'l( )XS 
w \ri.ki;L'm' i;rii-iii.\i; tK.\i>i:s inixi 11. 

In l()00 a P.uilding 'I'r.ades Council was formed li\- the p:nnters, the carpenters, 
and the |ilunihers, which ;iffiliated with the .Xational I'.nilding Tr.ades t'onueil in 
1902. The latter endured for three years. In 1003 the couneil applied for a 
charter from the Struettn'al i'.nilding Trades .\lliance ;ind remained with the hody 
during its existence, after which it hecanie ;iffilialed with the present huilding 
trades department of the American Federation of Lal)or. Cndei- this parent hody 
the Waterhury Building Trades Council has re;dly increase<i in mcMiihership. 
The eight locals now affiliated with the louncil are as follows: Carpenters and 
Joiners, X'o. 2(10; Electrical Workers. Xo. (.I)!j: Sheet .Metal Workers, No. 190; 
Painters and Decorators, Xo. 41)1; Plumbers, .^teani and Cas hitters, X'o. 22; 
Naugatuck Carpenters and Joiners, No. 804; Naugatuck Painters and Decorjitors. 
No. 418; Naugatuck Plumbers. Steam and Gas I'itters, No. lOg. 

The council maintains commodious, well-arranged (piarters at 127 East Main 
Street, consisting of two meeting halls, reading room, .and husiness agent's office. 

The relations between the huilding contractors and the building trades organ- 
izations are most cordial. There is a business-like spirit of co-operation existing 
between the organizations th.it brings foith the best result for all concerned, 
those having buildings erected coming in for their share of the good results of 
this harmony. 

The present officers are: President, James Campbell 1 l':uiiters) : \ ice ])resi- 
dent, R. Beardsley (Electrical Workers); recording secretary, II. T. Strickland 



268 WATERBURY AND THE XAUGATUCK \'ALLEY 

(Electrical Workers) ; financial secretary, James Johnson (Painters) ; treasurer, 
William liyron (Carpenters) ; James P. Donahue, business agent. Meetings are 
held on the first and third Wednesdays. 

THE CENTR.M, LABOR UNION 

The Waterbury Central Labor Union was first organized in 1893, then lapsed 
and was again instituted June 18, 1902. Twenty local unions were affiliated, the 
great majority of which are still in existence and still members of the central 
body. In 1917 the unions affiliated number twenty-eight. 

Meetings are held on the first and third Fridays in Building Trades Council 
Hall, 127 East Main Street. 

The present officers are : President, James E. Corrigan ; vice president. Joseph 
C. Baker ; recording secretary, Rensselaer Beadle ; financial secretary, Charles 
NVestendorfi" ; treasurer, James A. Cleland ; sergeant-at-arms, William Hermann ; 
business agent. James P. Donahue; trustees, Thomas Ouinn. William McLean, 
Charles .Mulholland. 

WATERBURY LOCAL UNIONS 

Allied Printing Trades Council. Joseph Cote, president; P. J. Lynch, secre- 
tary. 

Bakers, No. 155, organized February i, 1901. President, Daniel Finske ; 
vice president, Daniel Sullivan ; recording secretary, Paul Lauer ; financial secre- 
tary, Herbert W'aldron ; treasurer, Qiarles Witzman ; sergeant-at-arms, Joseph 
Mussary; label section. Otto T. Dreher; business agent. State Organizer Striby; 
trustees, Paul Graff, Paul Lauer; C. L. U. delegate. Otto T. Dreher. 

Barbers, No. 732. President, Louis D. Schiavone ; vice president, P. Madda- 
line; recording secretary, Angelo Possemato; financial secretary, Patrick J. 
Cavanagh ; treasurer, Patrick Mancini ; sergeant-at-arms. Nick Solcids; trustees, 
Joseph I'^iore, Ernest Petrone, and Peter D. Cicco. 

Brewery Workmen, No. 126. President, William Barton; vice president. Gus 
Schmidt ; recording secretary, Aug. Beutter ; financial .secretary, John Mantel ; 
treasurer, Jos. Schmid ; sergeant-at-arms. Jack Kelly; business agent, Aug. 
I'.eutter; trustees, Alfred \\'aldheim, Alfred -Seidel. Josef Stieglcr. 

Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers, organized March i, 1894. President, 
L. E. Ste])hens; secretary, Louis Corr ; business agent, Wm. McCarthy. 

Carpenters and Joiners, No. 260. Chris Christofeson, president ; Thomas C. 
Quinn, secretary; N. J. Engelke, financial secretary; Waller R. Talbot, treasurer; 
James P. Donahue, business agent. 

Cigarmakers. President, John E. Cunningham; vice president, M. Cross- 
land: recording secretary, H. Pnishman ; financial secretary, \'al C. Hahn ; treas- 
urer, W. Crossland ; sergeant-at-arms, Wm. J. Pierce; business agent, H. F. 
\'aranelli ; trustees. Otto Brodt. Frank .Smith and Edward Sanders. 

Electrical Workers, No. 660. President, John E. Cunningham ; vice presi- 
dent, IVL Crossland; recording secretary. H. Bushman; financial secretary, \'al 
C. LLahn; treasurer, W. Crossland; sergeant-at-arms. Wm. J. Pierce; business 
agent. II. F. X'aranelli ; trustees. Otto Brodt. Frank Snfilh and lulward Sanders. 

Granite Cutters. Ralph Stuart, secretary. 

Horseshoers. Charles E. Mann, secretary. 

Locomotive Engineers. Brass City Division. No. 867. B. F. O'Neill, secretary. 

Machinists, Brass City Lodge, No. t,22. I'inancial secretary, Charles Westen- 
dorff; treasurer, John B. Cutty. 



WATERBl'RY .WD Till-. XAL-CIATUCK \-ALLEV 209 

Molders, Xo. _'cjS. ■riiomas K. Allen, secretary; janies A. f.dveday, business 
agent. 

Moving Picture Machine Oi)erators, No. 304. President, janies Corrigan ; 
vice president, Nick Melleti; recording secretary, Tim Carren: fniancial secre- 
tary-treasurer, William Jenusaitis; business agent, .\be l''andella : trustees, Ralph 
Stance, Steve Sangovimio, |ohn Kuster. 

Musicians. President, Kay E. ReilU'y; vice president. (_'. \L Loveridge ; re- 
cording and linancial secretary, p. Sherwood Peardslee ; treasurer, William Mc- 
Lean; scrgeant-at-arms. .\rtluir Martel : business agent. Pay P. Reilley. 

Painters, No. 41)1. President, R. I'.e.-idlr; vice presidcnl. Wm. Cook; record- 
ing secretary, Michael [■'. Cody; fmanci.d sccret.iry, James C.ampljell; trea-^urer, 
William Woods; sergeant-at-arms, li\ing t'owdry; business .li^'ent, |,ames P. 
Donahue; trustees, A. C. Pratt, Phillip Roy, James lohnston. 

Pattern Makers. Poljcrt McDougal, secretary. 

Plumbers and Steam bitters, organized 181)4. Present officers: Pr^'sidcnt, 
William Coyle ; vice president, J.inies Wliitty ; recording secretarw Daniel M. 
Cass; financial secretary-treasurer, William R. b'inn ; business agent, lames 
Donahue. 

Pressmen and /Vssistants. No. 150. President. Pcjuis ."-Schmidt; \ice president. 
Lew Baker; linancial secretary, b'rank Cuegorv ; sergeant-at-arms. losejih M. 
Cipriano. 

Pailroad Trainmen, No. 4_',^. ( i. II. Turkington. secrel.arv. 

Sheet :\Ietal Worker^. .\o. i<)i). President, L. ( '. Schiitz; vice president. 
Otto Ilerbst ; secretary, t'liarles Iv L)ecker; fmanci.il secretarw .A. 1']. Ger.ird. 

Stone-cutters. Patrick Uuinlan, secretarv. 

Street Railway Eni])loyees, Division 570. President, l.awson A. Puth ; vice 
president, Da\id J. .^cidly ; recording secretary, (ieorge 1!. Dt'gnan ; linanciid 
secretary, Thomas Prube; business agent, .\. II. Luth. 

Theatrical Stage Employees. No. NS ; organized in IQOI. President: John 
J. Eitzgerald ; vice president, Frank Brown; recording secretary Thomas Corri- 
gan; financial secretary, Frank J. Stone; treasurer, James Clea\eland. 

Typographical, No. 329, organized November 20, i<Sq8. President, Fred S. 
Gorham ; vice president. Hubert B. Royce ; recording secretary, Leroy E. Bowles; 
secretary-treasurer, Patrick J. Lynch. 

Foremen's Associ:ition of the T'lume &: .\twood Mfg. Co., organized .March 
13, 1911. President, Edward C. .Sanderson; secretary, Thomas INPithon; treas- 
urer, P. II. Chabot. 

Manhan Aid Association of American Brass Co., W\aterbury Brass Branch. 
President, Frederick B. '\\'illiams ; secretary, Edward B. Simpson; treasurer, 
C. ¥.. Beardsley. 

Scovill Foremen's .Association. President, Frank W. Ineson ; secretary, Clar- 
ence PI. Stilson. 



CHAPTER XXII 
COMMUNITY EFFORTS, FlilLAXTHROl'V AND REFORMS 

Till' ^•. M. C. A. AND ITS GROWTH — FTNU I"OK NEW Uril.DlNt; WAR-TIME WORK 

i 111-; W ATERIiURY BOYS' CI.UE — MR. COM BEI.LACK's GREAT WORK — THE KOY SCOUTS 
OF AMERICA — ^^THE WATERBURY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AND GIRI.S' CLUB — THE 

Tl'lMPKRANCE MOVEMENT IN WATERBURY — RESCUE MISSION THE COMMUNITY 

CHRISTMAS TREE — THE F_\RLY CLOSING MOVEMENT — ELTSHA LEAVENWORTH'S 
BKMCI'ACTIONS. 

The Watcrbury Y. M. C. A. is the oldest association in Connecticut and the 
fourth oldest in all New England. The first in the Cnited States dates back to 
December, 1851, and was started in Boston, Mass.. by Thomas Sullivan as repre- 
sentative of twenty religious associations. 

The original constitution of the Waterbury Y. M. C. A., with the signature of 
the charter members and the original business records, have been preserved to 
the present day. This association was active from 1858 until 1876 and was 
never formally dissolved. A more formal organization was efl'ected in 1883. The 
life of the association is divided into two periods: the first of twenty-five years, 
ending in 1883, during which the service of all officers and workers was purely 
volunteer work. During that period the association had rooms at the corner of 
West Main and Leavenworth streets. The original start was made in a room 
over what was known as Cone's drug store at the corner of Bank and West Main 
streets. 

The second i)eriod started with the engagement of trained ^■. M. C. A. workers, 
due to the realization of what an immense power for good in the community 
the association would be and the full knowledge of how great a work it had 
taken u]) by the words of its charter. "To promote the physical, mental and moral 
welfare of young men." 

Then in 1880, after the state convention of the ^'. M. C. A. held in Watcrbury, 
came the building project at a meeting in the parlors of the old Scovill House. 
This was followed by a later meeting and the appointment of a committee on 
buildings and soliciting. 

The building committee, selected from the board of directors, which made its 
first report on Mav 18, 1891, was as follows: L. J. Atwood, II. L. Wade, J. R. 
Smith, F. S. Chase, F. B. Rice. E. O. Goss, W. E. Fulton, I. A. Spencer, W. E. 
Griggs, C. F. Mitchell, G. W. Beach, J. N. Webb, H. W. Scovill, F. B. Hoadley, 
C. S^ Chapman, A. C. Mintie, E. D. Welton and A. D. Noble. 

The project was then sent along under full sail by the gift of a lot on North 
Main Street, part of which is now occupied by a portion of the Hotel Elton. The 
gift was made by ITenry W. Scovill and his wife. This lot was later sold and 
the present site purchased. It was then the Philo Brown property. 

The soliciting committee completed its work in December. 1890 ; the revised 
plans for the building were accepted March 22, 1892: the contract was awarded 
April 21, 1892, and the association moved into the completed building June i, 1893. 

270 



WATERBUKY AND THE NAUGATUCK X'ALl.l-A- 1^7] 

Since that time tlierc have heeii achlilidiis tn the strueture fidiii time tu time 
as thc_v were needeiK aii'l the iiiiiiie\ was dlitainalile. As clesi^nrd liy ii> far- 
sighted finindcrs, it did priceless v>i)ik in pninidtint; [ihysical. mental, and 
moral welfare of the ymin^ men of Waterlmry, and it ma\ lie said that the city 
is the hetter for the association and that the initial investment in ddllars had 
been realized hundreds of times over in a Ixtter humanity. 

The rosters of names connected with the xarinns steps in the i,M(i\\th of the 
Y. M. C. A. is interesting-, as many of the names are to he fnnnd wnxrn tln-ough 
the history of the rise of \\'aterbur\'. In the list of the charter memhers (jf 1S3S 
are to he found the following: ^\nson F. Aljliutt, 1.. S. l)a\is, Hwi^Iit L. Smith, 
F. L. Curtis, George \V, J'>each, E. [,. lieach, F. 1.. r.rnn-dii, (/haile^ r.eneclicl, 
D. F. Maltby, A. M. I'.lalasley, and II. W. Keeler. Governdr W ilham A. Ihick- 
inghami was an honorary member. 

-Among the signers of the document pledt^int; ilu- fimd-. wliicli changed t!ie 
association from volunteer ranks in 1W3 were the fulldwing: !•'. I. i\inL;^bni'v, 
J. 'S. Elton, Mrs. M. L. :\[itchell, J. ^\. r.urr.ill, 1.. J. Atwodd. li. W. Scovil'l, 
i. A. Spencer, J. R. Simtli. K'ev. J. G. 1 ).ivenp(irl. ( ,. F. Terrv. .\ A. l'.ene(lict, 
FI. F. Wade, G. C. llill, G. S. R<Hlmin, and ll. i i. I'.ryan. 

The names of the incorpor.aturs (d' the associatinn in lS,'<i) wei'e: Iniri A. 
Spencer, Edward F. Frunson, George 11. I'.eneilict, Waltc-r C . .Meyers. G. IF 
Benham, Tames S. Elton, John Henderson, Ir., Gh.irles S. Ghaiiman. h". S. Chase, 
A. D. Noble, E. E. StanlJy, Nelson \V. Heater, and Wilbam I'.. N.nri-.. 

The war work of the V. M. C. .\. has heei' a n.Hable feature (if its .activities. 
It began this work in liji'i, when the nu'inbers (if the, local companies were called 
to the armory preparatory to lea\ing for the bordei'. All the pri\ilcges of the 
Y. AF C. A. were extended to the men .and rem.iined so until their de]iartnre and 
after their return. 

Wdien the Gnited .States declared w.ar. and a part of the .Xational ( uiard 
was stationed in Walerbury, Y. M. C. .V. pri\ileges were again e\len(led to the 
men occupying the armory. These included the b.aths, the use of the gymnasium, 
and all social privileges. 

Eater, when a battalion camp of the h^irsl Regiment. C. N. (i.. was estal)- 
lished at Eairlawn Manor, the ^". M. ('. A. innnediately jiitcbed ,a tent there 
under the direction (if W. A. Smethurst. the physical director. Ah. .Smethurst 
and several assistants took charge of the outgoing mail : supplied tallies and writing 
equipment, as well as reading matter, consisting of the latt-st magazines and 
newspapers. A piano and \ictor talking machine were provided as a means of 
amusement. Baseball suits and halls ,and liats wei'e gixen to all men who joined 
the teams organized into an inter-company league. 

During this time special meetings were held every Sunday afternoon, at whicli 
special music and other features did much to attract the soldiers. 

Since the departure of the National Guard, the Home Guard has used the 
Y'. M. C. A. gymnasium for drilling purjioses. The Second District Registration 
Fjoard has tuade the association its headquarters. .Ml of the [ihysical examina- 
tions were held in the gviunasium and questions concerning the draft and 
exemption rules are answ-ered at the desk. 

In connection with the enrollment of drafted men. two gymnasium classes 
were conducted by Mr. Smethurst each week to gi\e the men training in setting- 
up exercises previous to their strenuous camp work. These exercises, arid all 
the privileges given to army and navy men, have been absolutely free of cost. 

To every man already in camp has been gi\-en a s|)eci.al ticket, good for 
privileges in any Y. M. C. A. in the world. Thus the loc:d ^'. Al. C. A. has 



272 \\'AT1:KBURV and 'I'IfK XAL'CATl'L'K VALLI-:y 

opened the doors of Y. M. C. A. buildings in every plaee where a \\'aterbur_v 
boy may be stationed. 

Rev. Robert K. Brown, pastor of the Second Congregational Church, has 
sailed for France, where he will remain for six months, engaged in the war 
relief work of the Y. M. C. A. In leaving his home duties for six months, Mr. 
Brown is responding to a call which has been isstied for 1,000 men to carry on 
Y. M. C. A. work in France. He is the first Waterbury man to answer this call. 

The Y. M. C. A. has been exceptionally fortunate in its selection of general 
secretaries. In 1892, E. N. Folsom, who had been secretary of the Y. M. C. A. 
at St. Johnsbury, Vt., came to Waterbury and remained until 1895, when he was 
succeeded by T. P. Day. Mr. Day left in 1898 and was succeeded by Robert S. 
Ross. It was largely through the efforts of Mr. Ross and his splendid committee 
aids that the heavy mortgage on the present building was lifted. In 1909, much 
to the regret of his many friends in the association, he resigned to go to the New 
Haven Y. M. C. A., and was succeeded by Ernest F. Goodyear. Mr. Goodyear 
resigned August i, 191 2, and was succeeded on September i, 191 2, by the present 
general secretary, William H. Davis. 

The membership in 1895 was 375 in addition to 175 sustaining members or 
patrons. In November, 1917, the membership is 750, including patrons. 

The present officers of the Y. M. C. A. are as follows: 

President, W. W. Bowers; vice president, Levi Wilcox; treasurer, A. B. 
Dayton; recording secretary, Oscar Stahl ; general secretary, William H. Davis; 
board of directors, E. A. Andersen, W. W. Bowers, C. F. Carpenter, R. L. Coe, 
A. N. Colegrove, C. P. Cook, T- H. Curtis, A. B. Dayton, Dr. F. J. Erbe, J. E. 
Neily, B. P. Hyde, Theodore Lilley, E. F. Phelan, II. C. Post. R. E. Piatt, Oscar 
'Stahl, C. H. Stillson, F. B. Webster, Levi Wilcox. 

The Woman's Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. was organized in 1892, and has 
been helpful in all the association's endeavors. In 1893 it supplied the funds for 
the furnishing of the dormitories of the new building. It also helped in raising 
the money to lift the mortgage on the present structure. It has now a membership 
of 150, and its president is Mrs. W. H. Hoffman. 

On December 11, 1916, the campaign for a new Y. M. C. A. Building began, 
with Charles Sumner Ward, of the International Committee of the Y. M. C. A. 
in charge. The object was to raise $350,000 for a new site and building. It was 
the first large "intensive" campaign to raise money on the plan which has since 
become familiar. 

The three groups that were effective in collecting the building fund were 
headed by John H. Goss, Darragh DeLancey, and Robert L. Coe. l-'ormer 
President' William H. Taft was a speaker at the opening banquet. Practically 
half of the fund was raised in twenty-four hours. On December 19, 1916, the 
fund was completed. 

The site first selected, the Driggs property on West Main Street near Willow, 
proved to be unpopular and on October 25, 1917, the old Baptist Church site on 
Grand Street was decided upon for the new Y. M. C. A., and tentative plans have 
been made to raise the additional amount needed for the purchase of the ground. 

The appointment late in 191 7 of Charles Lee, of Bemis, Tenn., to take charge 
of the Industrial Department of the Y. M. C. A., has been fraught with excellent 
results. The purpose of this department is to take the Y. M. C. A. program out- 
side of its building and to co-operate with all other agencies that are striving to 
improve conditions. The English night school opened December 10, 1917, in the 
Sprague School at Waterville for the benefit of foreign workers, was the direct 
result of Mr. Lee's work. 



\VA•ll■;Rl;L■R^ .wn riii-. XAi't.ATL'CK \'all]-:v 27:! 

Walter A. Snifthur>t, physical director and his assistant, W'illard A. Manor, 
have kept the Y. M. C. A. progressing on all indoor and outdoor athletic activities. 

The presidents of the Y. AI. C. A. since 1895 were as follows: George W. 
Beach, Henry W. Scovill, T. R. Hyde, Jr., l!enj. L. Coc, Charles D. Xye, John 
H. Goss, Clarence P. Cook, and \\'. W. I'.owers. 

\VII.I.lA^r n. davls 

William H. Davis, the present general secretary of the Y. M. C. A., assumed 
his position on September i, iqij. 

Mr. Davis is a native of Leicester, Mass., and was graduated from fhe ^'. M. 
C. A. Training School (now college), at Springtield, in iS()4. He had held 
association positions in Greenlield, Mass., Bridgeport, Brooklyn, I'orlland, Me.. 
North Adams, Mass., and Cambridge. He was general secretary in se\-eral of 
these places, including ( ireentield, Bridgeport and I'ortlaml, and at .Xurth Adams 
he reorganized the \'. M. C. .\. after acii\ities had been suspended, during hard 
times. 

He has the distinction of lia\ing played ba'-ketl>all on the lirsl team to play 
the game in this country, at the Spriiiglield Training Scbiiol. He also i)laye(l 
football at Springlield and was a half-b.-ick on the famous training school organ- 
ization known as "Stagg's elexen." 

THL-: WATi-.Rr.rK\' i;()\s' ( i,ri; 

The Boys' Ckili of \\'aterliur\ was |ilanued by |obn (_ . I'ollins of ,\'e\v lla\eri, 
and was established by him in January. iSSS. .Mr. Ccjllins' idea was to provide 
a place where street gamins could fmd recreation at night and where their interests 
would be protected. W. P. larrett was the lirst superintendent of the club, which 
started work at 4 Market Place and he remained in charge one year. He was 
succeeded by II. N. Hansel, who retired in iS()0. The club did not prosper in 
those years. It was a new institution and there were m.any diflicidti^-s to o\er- 
come. The public did not understand il, and it ihri-alened to be a failure. 

It was at that time that the attention of the directors was called to Xicholas 
Combellack, who was conducting a club in New Ha\en for the dixinily students 
of Yale College. They visited his institution and were so much impresst-d with 
his ability as a mana.ger that they engaged him September i, iSgo, to sujierintend 
the Waterbury Boys' Club. Mr. Combellack- has since been in charge of it and 
under his control it has grown to it^ present imi)ortance. It removed to ji 1 larri- 
son Avenue in September. iS<)i. 

Mr. Combellack when he came to Walerliury found a reading room and library 
where boys who belonged to the club congregated at night and read svich news- 
papers and books as best pleased Iheni. I'hey were not particularly cleanly, so 
he established a bath room and insisted that every memlier of the club should 
bathe at least once a week. This was a great improvement, and the boys soon 
learned cleanly habits. Air. Combellack then added a little gymnasium, ])uying 
dumhbells and Indian clubs and in\ ited the boys to exercise their muscles. This 
proved popular. 

No provision had been made to house the boys who came in from the street. 
They were obliged, wdien the club rooms closed, to return to the [)avement and 
find shelter where they could. Mr. Coml.)ellack told the directors that they should 
furnish beds for the boys who h.id no homes, and with their sanction he rented 
the floor above the library and litted up a dormitory in the winter of 1892. He 



274 \\ATF.RP.URY AND rill-: XAL'G ATIXK N'ALLEY 

found that W'aterbury was the goal of many runaway boys from other towns who 
were in the habit of sleeping in freight cars and railroad yards or wherever they 
could lind a place. He said that such boys siiould be taken to the club rooms and 
he organized his club members into a corps to search for and bring runaways to 
the club where they could have shelter until returned to their families. In this 
way, many runaways who might have been led to criminal lives have been re- 
stored to their homes or put to work at useful occupations. 

The dormitory naturally led to the establishment of a dining-room and 
kitchen, and then Mr. Combellack provided for the improvement of the boys' minds 
by organizing a class to teach them the rudiments. As the membership increased, 
he enlarged the gymnasium and engaged instructors to teach them in military 
drill, fencing and singing. The club was incorporated under the general joint 
stock law in May, 1895, Douglas F. Maltby being the first president. 

The following were the officers in 1897: President, D. F. Maltby; vice presi- 
dent, 1). L. Smith; secretary, A. C. Mintie; treasurer, T>. G. I'ryan; superin- 
tendent, Nicholas Combellack; directors, D. F. Maltliy, .\. C. Mintie, C. S. Chap- 
man, C. F. Mitchell and D. L. Smith. 

After occupying rooms at No. 4 Market I'lace until September, 1891, the club 
was located at 21 Harrison Avenue. 

The new home of the Boys' Club on Cottage Place, next to the I'^ederal Puiild- 
ing. was oix;ned January 9, 1906. The club ])roper occupies the second floor. 
The office is at the top of the first flight of stairs. The entrance, as well as all ot 
the woodwork of the interior, is finished in quartered oak. The quartered oak 
office with its glass panels must be passed before any other portion of the club 
can be visited. 

Ojjcning out of this office is the private office of the superintendent. The 
directors' room is immediately in front of the private office. The three rooms 
occupied by Superintendent Combellack and family are located in the front erf 
the building. 

In the rear of the office is the dormitory in two galleries opening into the game 
room, b'.ach room is fitted up with bed, dresser, clothes tree and chair. The large 
dining-room, kitchen and club parlors are to be found on the third floor. Read- 
ing rooms and class rooms are also to be found on this floor. 

Paths, shower and tub, are liberally sprinkled over the l)uilding. A large 
swimming tank in the basement affords one of the best indoor baths in the state. 
It has a raised wall all around it to prevent accidents. No boy can be pushed 
into the ])ool against his wish without considerable exertion on the part of the 
pusher. 

The first floor, rear, is fitted up with a comliination gymnasium and game 
room. There are three rooms here which can at once be thrown into one for 
entertainments, if occasion requires. .\ stage has also been fitted up in the 
gymnasium. 

The building was erected and furnished throughout by generous friends of 
the institution. The bedrooms each bear the name of its donor or donors. A 
full list of these patrons and patronesses follows: Dr. William A. Goodrich, 
John C. Sherwood "in memory of Captain Colby." Miss F-dith Kingsbury "in 
memory of her brother," the Young Women's Guild of Trinity Church, Dr. E. 1. 
Abbott^ a friend, L. W. Street. Miss E. D. Warner and Mrs. Julia V. W. Spencer 
"in memory of a brother." F. S. Chase's children, J. P. Burrall, Fletcher Judson. 
Mrs. T. I. Morton "in memory of her grandson," the Misses Katherine A. and 
Sarah J. Prichard, two rooms "in memory of David Prichard," Charles P. Kel- 
logg, Miss Hughes. Miss Annie Cables, 'Mrs. W. H. Holmes "in memory of 



\VATERP,L-R\- .\.\|) l-lll': .\.\L-(,Ai'L'CK \-.\Ll.lA- 275 

Dr. Walter Jlanilin Holmes," Mrs. r.cnv^c W . .Min.ir, Dr. W. ( ). r.^nlicr. \i. A. 
Bass, Levi Wilcox, .Miss r.urrall, .\. 1'".. Rkv. a frieml. 

The secret of success at the l',n_vs' Cluh has Ijceii the aim of .Mr. t oiiiliellack 
to make the institution as homelike as possihle. For the comfurt and entertain- 
ment of the bo_ys there now are the gymnasium, the howlin.L;' alleys, piml tallies, 
dance hall and private orchestra, moving,' pictures, shower hadis ,ind [hr large 
swimming tank, private baths, a large dining-room, dramatic cluli, deh:iting chih, 
library equij)ped with 2,500 books, sitting rocmi, gamie room and nception room. 

Mr. Com])ellack ruIr^ the clul) to nitil^e bolli ends meet bv turning dut the best 
meals and ati'ording tlie Inst rodming cunditions available in this citv fur the 
pirice. 'J'he rates differ, tlie price liring regulated according t(j the jMisitidn held 
by the boy or young man. I'lices run from twn In fue doll.ars a week. 'Ibere is 
a homelike atmosphere \vhicb appeals id bdmclcss liin.s .and there is lilierty for 
all members that the b(jys n.iturally prefer the clul) rather than .1 Inrarding hduse, 
which offers no such choice of occupatidns and recreatinus. l'd\s \\ bd Uw with 
their ])arents patronize the club exten^ixely, I'ujdying the privileges df the g.ame 
room, gymnasium, tank and dance h.ill. 

'Jlie lirst impro\-ement dn the ne\\ Imildiug \\a- the est.dilishnient in oji :; df 
fourteen dorniitories in the anne.\, ,1 building next td the m.iin cluli building anil 
fdrnierly the old .'Steele bume. This is under the superxision df a Cduipetent 
malnin. d"he rooms art- well furnished. 

The next need fdr larger i|irirters w.is felt in the g\ninasjunr .\l the time 
tin- new buildmg was put up, Ibc "g\ni" \\a^ considered large eiidugh tn meet the 
club's needs fdi" years td CdUie. It was iKit until H)!,^ lb.it the cluli felt .ilile to 
undertaki' the extensive iniprd\ements necess;ir\ fdr the enlarging of the "'gvin." 
r>y knocking out the south w.ill .ind r.iising the rdof eight feet, it w.is jidssible 
to enlarge the floor siiace finm -|<) li\ 51) feet to 50 by <io feet, ,and .ilsd to install 
a running track six feet wide, with t\\ cut \ -sex en laps td the mile. 

In his rcjiort of 1917, the su]ierinteudent -peaks as follows of the work: 

"This has been a year of prosperity for the Hoys' C'hib, and we have fell its 
results. We have cleared our iiidi/btedness, pa\ ing off a debt ui .'siS,nOii, so that 
we are now practically free from debt. 

"Our memljership has kept up lo i .cion. its usu.d numlier. The gvm'i.isimn 
classes have been \er\' popular, as llie\ aK\a\s are. The wireless class has a 
large membership, something \ery gr;ilifying in these days when it has liecome 
necessary to prepare for all pdssible iniergencies. 

"Our Sunday night pictiuas and lectures ha\e steadily grown in pdpnlarity. 
We have shiiwn the Paramount pictures and our average attendance li.is been 
(lOo. 'I'his branch of our wurk has been \'ery greatly helped liy the aciiuisitiein of 
a new Powers nid\ ing picture machine, .'s-|00 toward the cost of the machine, $fi02. 
being the gift of a frien<l df the club, and the balance ]iaid b\' the boys tlieni- 
selyes. The buys have also purchased .a new ])!ayer piano and ]iaid fdi- the ])iclure 
lilni'S, raising the nidnev' b\- collections .among themselves and their friends. The 
Bronson I.ibrar\ b.is iil.iced a number ol interesting fieioks in our club lilirar\\ 
as a loan library for the bo\ s, and man\ books ha\e lieen taken emt to be re.id in 
the homes. Our club s.a\ ings liank ha- received a large number of deposUs. 
The endowment fund, w liieli should extntually .amount to S50,or)( 1 in order to 
place the Boys' Club on a permanent basis, b.is grown to ,'%io,(X)o through the 
generosity of the late Mrs. Julia \'. W'.irner Sjiencer." 

In 1908 Mr. Combellack (jrganixed the Waterljury Boys' (dub Hand, which 
was soon so well trained that in the following year it gave concerts in I lamilton 
Park. To liegin, there were twenly-fotu- boys in the band, ranging in ;ige fi'oni 



276 WATI'.RI'.L'RY AND THE XAUGATL-CK VALLKY 

Edward Osphalat, the 8-year-old drum major, to boys of sixteen. In 191 1 it 
was changed to the Waterbury Boys' Club Military Band, and a junior band for 
training was added. 

It has visited neighboring cities, and is a part of all parades in Waterbury. 
The present membership ranges from twenty-four to thirty. 

The following table gives a very good idea of the club's activities. It is a 
statement for 1916 and includes the savings bank statement: 

kiXEiPTS R)K 1916 

Balance $ i ,901 .50 

Miscellaneous 218.53 

Interest on money in bank 75-59 

Receipt from Wade Endowment 95.00 

(jif ts for special purposes 2,325.00 

City Basket liall League '^2.79 

Athletic meet 52.10 

Pjand 808.00 

i'ool if>3-75 

1 .oan 202.88 

I'.oard 10.798.65 

Lodgings 3,684.25 

Membershii)s 4IO-30 

Club rents 1,178.15 

Entertainments 714-25 

General gifts 3-244-0O 

Special gifts for debt 5,450.00 

Total $31,404.74 

KXI'KNDITURKS FOR I916 

Dining hall and kitchen $ 8,823.42 

r.edrooms 834.53 

Janitors 472-i6 

Salaries 2,669.50 

Eurnishings 908.73 

Office . . .' 1 13-54 

lighting 707-49 

Heating 1,529-69 

h'xpense gift to Doctor Dcnman 300.00 

Christmas entertainment 34-5° 

Amateur League 72-79 

Liquid soap " 44-io 

Traveling expense, physical director 58.00 

Incidentals ' 667.39 

Tax on loan .- - 62.80 

Athletic As.sociation 52- 10 

Athletic Association 1,291.68 

Insurance 500-4I 

Interest 785-°° 

Repairs 1,215-12 



\V.\ri':RBURN' AXE) Till'; XAUCATIXK \'AI.I.1-.V 277 

Enterlainments i .435.00 

tiand 'J37-40 

Loan 390.45 

Water rent •95-3<' 

Building fund 6,224.21 

Balance 2,371 .05 

Total $31 ,404.74 

Boys' saving.s Ijank aecc.nnit for iiji'i; nunilier of deposit.s 47; .•midunt de- 
posited, $178.35 : amount withdrawn, $17(1.10; balance on hand, $2.25. 

The officers for 1917 are: President, Cornelius Tracy; secretarw W. |. l.ar- 
kin, Jr.; treasurer, Charles F. Mitchell. 

These, together with F. .S. Ch.-ise, Hugh 1.. Thnnipson, 'Iruni.an .^. Fewis, 
Charles P. Kellogg and John .S. F)ye, form the Ijii.ard of dircct(jrs. 

Tllr. UOV ,SCOl T.S OF .\.M1£KU A 

The Boy Scouts of .America established a W'aterbury Council in September, 
1913. Prior to that in 1911 E. F. White had organized a V>ny .Scouts Troo]) at 
the Y. j\r. C. A., consisting of twenty-live boys. This formed tlie nucleus of the 
Boy Scout work in the city. This troop was su]>erseded in laiuiarv. 1012, by 
another organization called Troop i, with E. F. A\'hite as scout master. This 
troop met at St. John's Parish, as it was composed largely of boys from that 
church. In June, 1912, Troop 2 was organized at the b'irst Mctbodist Church 
with C. F". Northrop as scout master. 

The tirst officers of the council were: Julius .\lahby, president; W. j. .Shaua- 
han, secretary and treasurer, and F. F. White, scout commissioner. 

The work of the council consisted in extending the work, in organizing new 
troops and in supervising troops already organized. After Troop 9 was organ- 
ized it became apparent that the scout commissioner needed assistance, and C. F. 
Northrop was ajipointed deputy scout commissioner in Sejiteniber. 11)15. During 
1915 Troops 10 to 21 were organized, .giving a tol.al membership at the end of 
1915 of ajipro.ximately three hundred. Mr. Northrop now gave [lart lime to the 
work on salary. In April, 1916, a financial campaign for funds was begun to 
raise $12,000 to continue the work for three years. This was the first of the 
financial campaigns along these lines conducted in Waterljury. and instead ol 
$12,000, the amount raised was $24,000. 

Troop 31, organized at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, was the last one 
instituted up to November i, 19 17, but in December five new troops were to be 
in shape for organization. The total membership December i, 1(>I7, was 750. 
The officers of the council now are: Darragh deFancey, president; C. IF W. 
Newton, T. F. Carmody, H. H. Fleminway. vice presidents; C. F. Spencer, Jr., 
treasurer; E. .S. .Sanderson, scout commissioner; C. F. Northro]), secretary and 
scout executive. 

The Waterbury Scouts have been a great aid in all of the war work, assist- 
ing particularly in botli Fiberty Foan campaigns and in co-operating with the 
Red Cross. 

The Boy Scout movement seeks to help boys on leaving school to escape the 
evils of "blind alley" occupations, that is, such work as gives the boy a mere 
wage for the moment, but leaves him stranded without any trade or handicraft 
to pursue when he is a man and so send him as a recruit to the great army of 
unemployed, and what is worse, the unemployable. 



278 WATICRRURV AXD THF. XAUGATUCK VALLEY 

ScouH-raft includes instruction in lirst aid, life saving, tracking, signaling, 
cycling, Nature study, seamanship, canipcraft, woodcraft, chivalry and all of the 
handicrafts. Xo expensive equipment is required. All that is needed is the out- 
of-doors, a group of boys and a competent leader. L!y combining wholesome, 
attractive, out-door activities with the influence of the Scout oath and law, the 
movement develops character. 

In scouting, the boy does not stand still. The (opportunity and incentive for 
progress is always at hand. 

He becomes a tenderfoot, and then a second class Scout, and then a lirst class 
Scout. After this, the v.hole sphere of the Scout program is made available by 
the boy's own apjolication in qualifying himself to pass the test for the various 
merit badges. 

There are now among the Boy Scouts, a number who ha\e become e.\pert in 
making fire by friction, that is by the "Ijow" method of rubbing sticks. Fire by 
friction was lirst made in Waterbury scout ranks by Raymond licdell, formerly 
of Troop 2, now assistant scout master in Troop i, at Oakville. His fastest 
time was 35 '/f, seconds. Since then in local and state comjietitions the record 
has gone steadily down. James Walker of Troo]) 11, I'.unker Hill, broke the 
world's record for Scouts in a meet at Bristol, March 3, 191 7. making it in 135;, 
seconds. Shortly after in an exhibition at the Brooklyn Athletic Club of this city 
he lowered this record to 12 seconds flat. In the fall scout meet held at Hamil- 
ton Park, October 6th, he again broke his record, lowering it to 11 seconds. He 
will soon in all likelihood make tlie record 10 seconds or better, as he has already 
done this in joractice. Paul Stcere and Jos. DeMunda of Troop 11 have both 
done faster than 12 seconds. 

In the knot-tying contest Waterbury holds the state record, John Kilchenka 
of Troop 3 having made it in 18 seconds. 

Scout meets are held regularly on Feljruary 8th, the anniversary of the scout 
movement, and usually a state meet is held about I-'ebruary 22d. It is also 
customary to hold local and state meets in October. In the last two state meets 
Waterbury outpointed all other cities in the state combined. 

Till-: W.\Ti:UllfKV I.NDUSTKl.M. SCHGOt. .\N1) C.IRLs' CLUB 

The Watcrl)ury Industrial School and Girls" Club, founded to meet a great 
social need in 1865, is still working along the same general lines of helpfulness 
outlined by those far-seeing men and women in the earlier years of Watcrbury's 
history. In 1890, through the generosity of Elisha Leavenworth, who gave it 
$10,000 toward a building fund, it opened the beautiful building on Central 
Avenue. In 1895 its charier was amended so that the cor()oration could hold 
property to the amount of $100,000. 

On the death of Mr. Leavenworth in 191 1, in addition to a gift of $25,000. 
the Waterbury Industrial School Association was bequeathed the Leavenworth 
house and part of the property touching upon the original site of the school itself. 
The house was moved back from West .Main Street, placed so as to front upon 
Park Place, renovated, and so fitted up that ten children, besides three boarders, 
could be accommodated in it. 

The house is now used as a home for the teachers and is in charge of the 
director. Miss Margaret M. Goodwin. 

In 1914 the playground, which was joart of the old Leavenworth garden, was 
opened and has been one of the most successful of the school's activities. 

For small children there are now daily classes in cooking, sewing, knitting. 



WATI'.klU'm- AXI) L'HI'. XAL'CATUCK WM.I.EY 27;i 

enilin.iilcry. nursing;- ami liuu>ckL'c|)ini,r. '\'hv^v arc hrld fnjm 4 tn 5 130 each aftrr- 
noon duriiiij ciyht iiiuntlis of tin- year. The little ones ;iay 5 eeiUs a nionili for 
this privilege. 

Similar classes are held in the txenins^s from 7:30 to <>:30 for girls who work 
during the day, For this [iri\ilege. the gii'ls pay .'si.oo a vear. I'wice a month 
there are social e\enings and ([iiite oflt'ii during the season there are amateur 
dramatic performances and dances. 

There are live teachers regularly employed and twenty-live volunteer teachers. 

One paid employee devotes all her lime to the hathing facilities. These are 
showers and tub baths which are patronized dailv hv the children fi(]m jioorer 
families and from the congested districts. 

The officers in 1893 were: President, Airs. .S. K. Harrison; \ ice president. 
Mrs. A. S. Chase; secretary, Mrs. (1. C Hill; treasurer, Katherine I.. I'eck ; 
prudential comiuittec, Mrs. Kufus 1'.. Smith, Kathi-rine L. I'eck, l''-lish,i l.ea\en- 
worth, F. IJ. Rice. A. S. Chase. 

The officers for hjij are: I'l-esidcnt. Miss Katherine D. Hamilton; \ ice 
president, Mrs. Katherine f,. I'eck; treasurer, Mrs. Nelson .\. I'omerov; secre- 
t.ary, Mrs. Edyth A. Allen; auditor, .Mrs. Albert D. Field; assistant audilor. .Miss 
Delia Field ; prudential committee, .Mrs. Katherine D. Hamilton, Mis. Katherine 
1.. I'eck, Otis S. Xorthro]), .\rihur R. Kimb.ill, John IL ( ioss. 

The incoiue of the association is deiixed from pri\ate don.ations, ;m endow- 
ment fund, and from the fees from pupils. 

To make it thorciughly eli'cctive, the work is not being carried on simply 
within the school, but all those who ,ire actively engaged .as leaclu'rs and assist- 
ants .are ni.aking it .a pari of their work to visit the homes of their |)Upils, thus 
taking a personal interest in each child and gaining an insight into what that 
child most needs to make her a good American woman. 

At the present time there is .a total of ten conking classes — U\e .afternoon ,and 
five evening classes, ;ind .iKo twn vuiiper clubs. These suppier clubs are one of 
the new departures in the school wdrk. They are made up of the older girls 
who work during the daytime. 

Because of their noveltv and departure from the usual run of cooking classes, 
the supper clubs are specially interesting, liut there is no lack of interest or of 
enthusiasm in just the plain cooking classes. The afternoon classes are made 
up of girls between the ages of eight and fourteen years. No girl who talces 
cooking in the public schools is sup])(>sed to take cooking at the industrial school. 
The classes begin with the most simple reci|ies and gradually work up through 
the harder and more difficult concoctions imtil they are able to master breail, 
cake, pie, etc. 

The tasks which are set before the little workers are the very hoiuely tasks 
of washing old tins, scrubljing sinks, cleaning stoves and the like, but the children 
enter into them with a zest that accomplishes wonders. To keep u\> this interest, 
the leaders are having the children make scrapljooks in which, by means of ])ic- 
tures cut from magazines, thev arrange kitchens to suit their own tastes. Thus 
they learn how to plan with an eye for sa\ing needless steps. In their visits to 
the homes of the children, the leaders see wherein the lessons taught at school 
are applied to home conditions and this transplanting into the hoiues what has 
been learned outside is unconsciously passed from the daughters to the mothers, 
and before long it becomes the customary wa}' of doing things in that child's home. 



280 WATERBURY AND THE XAL'C.ATrCK VALLEY 

WATERBURY INSTITUTE OF CRAFT AND INDUSTRY 

The Waterbiiry Institute of Craft and Industry, known until 1908 as the 
Young Women's l""ricndly League, is now in its twenty-eighth year of usefuhiess. 
It was organized in 1889 and incorporated in 1893. Its teachers are in charge of 
Miss Harriet Goddard Brown, and most of them are graduates of Drexel Insti- 
tute, Phihidelphia. These instructors, whose departments give some idea of the 
nature of the institution's work, are as follows: 

Miss Helen C. Palmatary, director of the school of housekeeping ; instructor 
in cookery and household economics; Miss Helen J. Long, director and instructor 
of the courses in domestic art; Miss E. Lillian Gillespie, instructor of the courses 
in domestic art; instructor of the courses in handicraft; Mrs. Albert H. Eassen- 
der, instructor of the courses in pillow-lace-making; Miss Phyllis D. Clarke, 
directcjr and instructor of physical training; Miss Hclcnc Cecil Tutlle, director 
and instructor of the courses in expression and dramatic art ; Arthur Schuckai, 
director of the institute chorus. 

The institution has now ajjproximiately two hundred pupils. It is supported 
by the tuition of the students and by private donations. The institute owns its 
building on Leavenworth Street. 

Its officers in 1917 are: President, Anna L. Ward; vice presidents, Mrs. 
Erederick D. Buckley, Mrs. Arthur Reed Kimball, ^Irs. Edward T. Root, Mrs. 
Otis S. Northrop, Mrs. Erederick Wilcox, Mrs. Jay H. Hart; treasurer, Eloren- 
tine II. Hayden; recording secretary, Ellen R. Townsend ; auditor, George E. 
Tudd ; ;idvisory board, Mrs. Erederick M. Peasley, James S. Elton, Otis S. 
Northrop, Irving II. Chase, Archer J. Smith, Henry L. Rowland. 

Eor nineteen years its annual exhibitions have given the people of Walerbury 
a fair conception of the extent and thoroughness of its work. On June 7, 1917, 
at its exhibition for this year, its new department in dietetics prepared meals in 
accordance with charts defining the number of calories necessary to sustain life 
according to the nature of occupation, height, weight, etc. 

In the department of domestic art Miss Helen J. Long, the director, ex- 
hibited an extensive array of wearing apparel, including suits, dresses, lingerie, 
waists, skirts and hats. Attractive collar and cufif sets made from odd material 
were an interesting feature of the display. 

Hand work in the form of beaded work, embroidery and fancy stitching were 
in evidence on many of the dresses. 

The feature of the display was the handicraft department, containing numer- 
ous exhibitions of loom work, including rugs and table covers of the most 
attractive styles. There are nine looms at the institute, and all were used con- 
stantly during the past year. Miss DeNecrgaard, the instructor, had also on 
hand many pieces of hand tooled leather and basketware, trays and other articles 
in which block printed silk, an old industry revived, is used. There were also 
splendid exhibits of i)illow lace making, made under the supervision of Mrs. 
Eassender. 

THE TEMPER.\NCK MOVEMENT IX \V.\TERBURY 

The temperance movement in Waterbury was at its height in 1894 and 1895. 
There was then in existence the Evergreen Temple of Honor No. 16, with 
George S. Butler as president, a branch of a national temperance association. 
This was dissolved in 1897. The Good Templars had one lodge known as 
"Fraternity," which remained in existence from 1894 to 1899. Its first president 



\V.\Tl';Ui;iRV AND I'lll-; XAL'CATUeK XAl.LKV 2S1 

was William I.oncka. The Good Templars in 11JO4 established ( )scar II l.ndi;e 
No. 50, with Andrew Olson as its lirst president. It still exists with a member- 
ship of nearly a hundred and with A. M. Anderson as its chief official and Carl 
G. Fogelherg and Andrew Munson as secretary and treasurer, respectiveh-. 

The Sons of Temperance also had a l}rief existence here, witli High Rock 
Division, which began its work in i.S<)4 and dissoKed in iSc>S. Its lirst presiding 
officer was Arthur Hall. 

The most determined cami)aign along temperance lines was waged during 
this period by the Catholic societies. In 1895 St. Josejib's Total .Vb^tineuce 
Society was organized and has been in. existence ever since. Its m.eelings weie 
at the outset held in St. Patrick's Hall and on every second -Sunday in the m«iiUh 
a mass meeting open to the public was arranged. It had its offices in the old 
Lilley Block and its first officers were: President, J. J. McDonald; vice president. 
J. F. McKnight; recording secretary, P. F. Shielils; fmancial secretary. Thomas 
Luddy ; treasurer, D. J. Casey. 

Its present officers are: President, Fdward Dowliiig; recording secretary, 
M. II. Scully; fmancial secretary, William F. Guilfoile; treasurer, Jeremiah 
Dillaue. The society now has its own clubhouse at East Main and Maj)le streets. 

St. Patrick's Total Abstinence .Society with leather J. II. Duggan as sjiiritual 
head and John F. Galvin as president, was organized in 181)5 ■""' ''''1 splendid 
work for some years, merging later into other church acti\ itie^ almig sinnlar lines. 

The St. Aloysius Total Abstinence Society existed fi'dui iSi;(i id i<)05. when 
it also merged into another similar church body. 

The St. I'Vancis Xavier Temperance Cadets were organized March 2-j , iSgj, 
and continue to l)e a splendid influence for good in the community. The present 
officers are: President, Raymond Pergin ; secretary, James Kelly; director. Rev. 
James J. Egan. 

The Waterbury Roman Cathcjlic Total ,\b^tinence and I'lenexolent Society, 
which was organized February 21, i8(>o, w.is :i flourishing organization in 1895 
with the following officers: President, Henry K. P>yrnes ; vice president, James 
Meagher; recording secretary, John Thompson; financial secretary, William C. 
Keenan ; corresponding secretary, William Duncan; chaplain and treasurer, Kev. 
Hugh Treanor ; Marshal. James Eustace. This was a powerful organization 
which had made Father Matthew's cause its own, and its meetings on each 
second Sunday in .St. Patrick's Hall were largely attended. It was active in its 
work until 1905, when its duties were assumed by other church bodies. 

The Murphy Temperance Club, of which Adelliert F. Chandler was ]>resi- 
dent, the Young Men's Temperance Union, J. F. Alix, president, and the Tem- 
perance Alliance of which Rev. W. P. Elsdon was the head, had brief but active 
existences during 1895 and 1896. 

From 1895 to 1899 the Helping Hand Society of the Second Congregational 
Church held public temperance gatherings. 

There was also a Reform Club whicli, under the direction of Rev. R. .\. 
Nichols, held Sunday afternoon temperance meetings at Jacques Theater. 

Practical work in the temperance cause was done by the Union Rescue Mis- 
sion, a movement in which the men and women of the whole city took an interest. 
It began its labors in 1895. Its first officials were: President, Aaron A. Bene- 
dict ; vice president, Mrs. F. F. Cook ; secretary. Rev. J. G. Davenport ; treasurer, 
A. C. Mintie ; board of management. Revs. W. P. Elsdon. J()seph .Ander- 
son, J. G. Davenport, G. Eldridge, F. S. Townsend, C. Pike ; Messrs. F. S. Robbins, 
A. C. Mintie, A. A. Benedict, J. N. Webb, G. H. Woodruff, T. Patchen ; 
Mesdames F. F. Cook, F. L. Allen, O. E. Brower, A. C. Peck, X. Jenkins, G. O. 



282 WA'lF.l-il'.URY AND THE NAUGATUCK VAT.LEY 

Robbins, J. II. Tripp. K. H. Simons, T. D. liassctt, R. AI. Strong, \V. A. llolgate, 
W. Ijerkcley; cxcculive committee, the above named officers and Mrs. G. O. 
Robljiiis, Rev. I''rani< S. Townsend, Mrs. R. M. Strong; committee on superin- 
tendent, Rev. J. G. Davenport, E. S. Robbins; committee on rooms, A. C. Mintie, 
Afrs. G. O. Robbins, Rev. C. Pike, E. S. Robbins, Mrs. K. H. Simons. 

In 1H98 it had estabHshed itself at 267 South Main Street with John E. 
Hendsey as superintendent. Tn ujoo Edgar P^irrest was superintendent, but the 
city in lyoi took up the charitable end of the work and the mission w'as dis- 
continued. 

The Woman's Christian Tem])erance Union has been a quiet but consistent 
and persistent advocate of the cause in W'aterliury for much over a quarter of a 
century. In 1895 its meetings were held at 267 South Main Street in the rooms 
of the Union Rescue Alission. ]ts officers then were: President, Mrs. F. 1'". 
Lock , \ ice i)resi(lcnts, Mrs. Asa Peck. Mrs. N. Jenkins, Mrs. G. O. Robbins, 
Mrs. J. II. Tripp, Mrs. K. H. Simons. Mrs. R. A. "Nichols, Mrs. W. A. Holgate, 
Mrs. C. S. Gaylord, Mrs. G. S. Fields; recording secretary, Mrs. O. E. Brower ; 
acting corresponding secretary, Mrs. F. ¥. Cook: treasurer, Mrs. F. L. Allen. 
These represented practically all of the Protestant churches in the city. 

I'rom 1900 to 1903 the W. C. T. U. met in Alliance Hall. In 1903 the organ- 
ization moved to 149 South Main and in 1906 it went to 47 East Main Street. 

Its present officers are as follows: President, Mrs. I'rank F. Cook; record- 
ing secretary, Mrs. Charles Wickwire: corresponding secretary, Mrs. Edwin 
Morgan; treasurer, Mrs. James Angrave; Mrs. \V. Schofield, city missionary; 
directors, Mrs. V. M. Neeld, Mrs. Wm. Holgate, Sr., Mrs. Edw. Morgan, Mrs. 
N. Jenkins, Mrs. Wm. Thompson, Mrs. Milton Wittier. 

Mrs. Wm. Thompson is chairman of the medal contest and supervises an 
annual competition among school children for the best recitation or essay on a 
temperance topic. 

THE F.AKI.V CLOSIXC MOVEMENT 

The movement for early closing of business houses has been a continuous 
agitation beginning with the tirst organization of business men in the community. 
One of the lirst accomplishments, and this dates back to 1900, was the agreement 
to keep stores ojjen on only two nights of each week, Wednesday and Saturday. 
Prior to that, there had been three nights of work, including Tuesday, in many 
if not most of the stores of the city. 

The efforts of the present chamber of commerce were for five years directed 
to a 9 o'clock closing on both Wednesday and Saturday. 

In .'Xpril, 1917, the business men's branch of the chamber of commerce finally 
managed to get the merchants together for a conference. At this the signatures 
were obtained, and the 9 o'clock closing, both W'ednesday and Saturday, has been 
in effect ever since. There are but few stores outside of the agreement. 

The movement for a Tuesday afternoon holiday during the summer months 
was agitated for years, but was only spasmodically carried out by a few mer- 
chants until 1908. when, under the chairmanship of II. W. Langley, a committee 
visited all of the merchants and secured their consent to the inauguration of the 
half holiday in i(/>S. 

F'rom luly to Labor Day. the Tuesday half holiday has been the rule. A 
fpw of the hardware stores and others, however, give the Saturday half holiday. 



WATI'Kl'.UkN' A.\l) rill". XAl CATL'CK X'AlJ.i-A' 2s;j 

■I'lll'; lOMMCXirV ( IIKISTMAS TREES 

Waterljury was one (if the lirst cities in tin- niinitr\' anil the In'sl in ( 'onnciiictU 
to establish the custuni of the L'oniniiinily Christmas Tree. This was dtie to 
Ke\'. John N. Lewis, who, in HM.v eolleeted funds privately and ]int u\< a tree on 
The (ireen. The city, throUL;h .\la)or Scully, took' up tlu- idea ne.\t year and 
since then it has been an annual event. 

A loose organization known .as the (hristnias Tree Conmiittee exists, which is 
called together by the mayor anmi.ally and ordered to TukI a tree .md ni.ake 
arrangements for its decoration and dechcation. Ihe p.ark .in<l street suiierin- 
tcndents furnish labor and supervise the cutting and erection of ihe tree. I'he 
electric light company furnishes free cin'rent for the lighting and the tree is vv iied 
free by local electrical contractors. Tb.e planting offit-es ftirnish song sheets and 
usually there has been a voluntet r chorus of school children, trained by the 
music supervisor, to le.ad the lhou■^:lnds wild .-issemble in .a prii<;r;ini (jI t'lirisl- 
nias and patriotic music. .\ bu^le sound-, ;nid llu' lights are ttu'iied on to music 
bv a band. All this tal-as place .innuallv on (hristnias F.ve. It w.as decided in 
\i)ij not to bring out the scboul children in .a bodv :is the weather .sometimes 
makes the affair in the nature of a binaKliip for the vnung>ters. In mm'' the tree 
was erected in Library Park, biU in hjij it w.as on I'be < iieen once more. 

The committee organized in IW17 b.v electing Rev. John .\. Lewis ch.airm.an 
and William j. Lajie, clerk-. 

'Idu're is a jiroji'ct to plant a growing s|>nuc or pine on The (ireen so that 
W'.aterbury will h.ive .a. pennaneiit Christmas tree .and not have lo ravage the 
woods anew each year. 

ELisii.v Li:Avi:xvv(iKrii"s ia.xi:i\vcriox.s 

The will of Elisha Leavenworth, m.ide ( )cl(iber 17. loio. the ye.ar jirior to 
his death, has become an historic ductinieiit for W'.aterlmry. lie w.is, ])rrli.i]is, the 
grctitest of the city's philanthropists, and bad during hi> life time given much 
toward the betteianent and the be.auliUcation of Waterbury. The gifts, the first 
of the donations to the .M.atl.atuik lli^torical Society and to the W .ilerbury In- 
dustrial School and LL.)me for (brls. are all mentioned in tlu-ir pro]ier ch.ipters. 

The will itself after manv individuil lie(|uests to relatives .and others, gave 
$15,000 to the Petersburg. \'a., 1 lome for the Sick. Its W'.aterbury ])ublic be(iuests 
were as follows : 

To the Waterbury ITos])il:il he l)e(|iie.athed $io.goo for gener.al purposes ,\nd 
$10,000 for the purpose of maintaining ".a free bed in said hospital, to be known 
as the Cynthia Leavenworth free bed, in memory of my deceased wife, for the 
use of such persons as m.av be designated bv the executive committee of s.iul 
hospital, the same to be to it and its successors forever." 

His bequest to the Waterbury Industri.d School was $45,(300, of which 
$25,000 was to be invested and the income only to be used for the general pur- 
poses of the school. The remaining $20,000 was given to the school "to provide 
an income which is to be used solely for the purpose of providing fuel for the 
needy of said Waterbury, and in ca<r it shall not all be needed for the ])urpose, 
for the purpose of giving aid in the luiyment of rent for such of the needy (if 
said Waterbury, without regard to nationality or religious creed, as the executive 
officers of said school may designate." 

To the Mattatuck Historical Society he gave $00,000 of which $_|o,ooo was 
to lie used for site and building .and the income of the remainder to aid in defray- 
ing the general purposes of the society. 



284 WATERI'.URY AXD THE XAUGATL'CK \'ALLEY 

He bequeathed $50,000 to the City of Waterbury, the income to be used "for 
the i)urposc of i)urchasing equipment and suppHes for and otherwise maintaining 
a manual training school or instruction in manual training in any of the public 
schools of said City of Waterbury." 

His executors, Edwin S. Hunt and John R. Clayton, were empowered to 
erect "on the westerly end of the Public Square or Green, in Waterbury, a statue 
to Benjamin Franklin, with such necessary surroundings, railings and pavement 
as to them, my executors, shall seem wise and proper, and to expend for the 
purpose a sum not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000)." 

To the First Congregational Society of Waterbury he left $5,000. 

To the Boys' Club of Waterbury, $2,500. 

To the Waterbury Institute of Crafts and Industry, $3,000. 

To the Day Nursery of Waterbury, $3,000. 

To the Riverside Cemetery Association, $5,000. 

To the Southmayd Home for Old Ladies, $20,000. 

To the Silas Bronson Library, $10,000. 

For the improvement and maintenance of Chase Park, $5,000. 

To the Connecticut Children's Aid Society of Newington, Conn., $3,000. 

To the Mount Carmel, Conn., Children's Home, $3,000. 

To St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, $5,000. 

He finally bequeathed "the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real and 
personal, wheresoever situated, in ccjual shares, one share to The Colonial Trust 
Company as aforesaid in trust for the City of Waterbury for the purposes and 
on the terms and conditions mentioned in Article Twenty-Ninth of this will 
(manual training school), one share to said Southmayd Home, one share to said 
Waterbury Hospital, one share to said Waterbury Industrial School, and one 
share to said Mattaluck Historical Society." 



CHAPTER XXIII 

CLl"i;S AXD ASSOCIATIOXS. lirSlXI'SS. SOCIAL. I'RorESSIOXAI. 
AXI) PATRIOTIC 

THK WATKRr.URV (. I T A M lUCR HF ((iMMiaiCE ITS I'.lj ;l \ M Xl ; AS Till-; M ICKCII AXTS' 

ASSOCIATION' THE WATERDfRV CI. I'D ITS NEW HOME TlliC COFNTRV CLIT. 

WATERBURV DRIVINC, ASSOCIAIIl JX AUTOMOI'.M.I': CI-l'Il — X \l' I ' R ALIST CLIT. 

THE ELKS CLUl; OTHER SOCIAL Cl.Ur.S I'RdlTlSSIl IX Al (iRC, A X IZ ATIOXS 

\voMi-:x's ci.rns axu societh.s — aiheictk' axu si'driixo urcaxi/.atioxs — the 

O. A. R. AXD VV. R. C. \V ATlCKIU/k'l' 's Rl:l'R I -SI. X FAT |()X IX STATI'. I-ATRIOTIC 

SdCHCTIES — SARSHELD CLUP.. 

The Waterbury Chamber of Commerce, whicli is just now learning to walk 
as a commercial and civic organization with a iicnnanent headquartt-rs and per- 
manent secretary, is the outgrowth of a series nf assnciations of business men, 
dating back to the commercial beginnings of the city. As a chrnnlier nf commerce 
it is only four years old ami until l'"eln-uary jo, loij. had no permanent office. 

In May, 1897, Waterbury meichants took stejis to organizi' an association. 
On Thursday. May 20, iSt-)j, in the former Congress Hall, in the Moriarty lilock, 
the first meeting of the Waterbury Merchants' .\ssociation was called to order 
with John B. Mullings as tenijiorary chairman. The experience of the Xew 
Haven Retail Merchants' Association inspired this movement and (he meeting 
was addressed by Messrs. Howe, Ilunn, Hart. Johnson and ( )'( 'onnor of Xew 
Haven, with such effect that the meeting imme<li.-Ltely proceeded to effect per- 
manent organization. 

The records of the association show that the first officers were John P>. 
Mullings, president; John Moriarty, first \ice president; Thomas D. Barlow, 
second vice president; Charles E. Hall, secretary; E,dward I'^itzgerald, treasurer. 
The first directors were, L. F. Haase, Isadore Chase, J. ( i. Cutler. W. .\. (luilfoile, 
F. G. Humphrey, Jacob Kaiser, Thomas H. Hewitt, C. F. Trott, W. D. L'pson, 
Chas. Boylan. 

The charter members of this association were the following: 

The Upson & .Singleton Com]iany. clothiers; .\pothecaries Hall Company; 
C. R. Russell, agricultural implements; C. .\.' liailey, meat and groceries; Spen- 
cer & Pierpont, groceries; Frank Miller & Comj>any, coal dealers; Fred E. Gill- 
mor, clothier and hatter ; \\'oodford & Allen, boots and shoes ; A. F. Taylor, house 
painter ; Waterbury CJrocery Com])any ; W. Easton Smith, crockery ; Geo. W. 
Minor, plumber; C. G. Belden, tailor; Alfred A. Adt, photographer; S. M. Kern, 
hatter and furnislier; Boston I<"urniture Company; Turnlinll & Company, dry 
goods; Curran's, dry goods; Geo. Harrington, cigar manufacturer; X. S. Snow, 
fish market; T. P. Hutchinson, shoe store; E. \'V. Hale, news dealer and stationer; 
W. H. Lowe, real estate; Martin Bergen, stationer and undertaker; Waterlniry 
Blank Book Company; Maier Kaiser, clothier; Reid & Hughes, dry goods; Con- 
Ion Bros., dry goods ; Jas. Coughlin. meat market ; Trott Baking t'omjiany. bakery ; 
Connecticut Boot and Shoe Company ; II. ( i. Dodge & Com])any. bo(.its and shoes"; 

285 



286 WATF.Rl'.URY AXD THE XAUGATL'CK X'ALLEY 

The E. I", llaasc Company, interior decorators; Chas. Ochsner, meat market; 
C. II. Hart, real estate; The H. \\'. Keeler Company, plumbers; John Moriarty, 
furniture; J. G. Twinino;, furniture; John J. Geraghty, boots and shoes; Lake & 
Strobel, jewelers; City Lumber & Coal Company; Jones, Morgan & Company, 
clothiers; John McEUigott, coal and wood; The Barlow Bros. Company, plumb- 
ers and gas fitters; The Driggs & Smith Company, pianos; The Upson Jewelry 
Company ; E. J. Finn, boots and shoes ; Lucy & Fitzgerald, shoe dealers ; E. G. 
Kilduff, clothier; Henry Schwartz, for the Roche.ster Clothing Company; W. A. 
Guilfoile, meat market; Isadore Chase, millinery; W'm. Riethcr, meat market; 
J. G. Cutler Company, harnessmakers ; Chas. Boylan, York State Butter Com- 
pany ; Simon Bohl, meat market ; John C. Latus, confectionery and news depot ; 
The ^liller & Peck Company, dry goods; J. B. Mullings, clothiers; The Hewitt 
Grocery Company, grocers; M. J. Byrne, lawyer; A. W. Castle, meat market; 
J. H. Devereaux & Company, news dealers; Waterbury Boot & Shoe Company; 
P. J. Bolan, hardware; Wm. W. Jones, boots and shoes; H. B. Sanderson, meat 
market; W. J. Cassidy, grocer; Bauby Bros., fruit dealers; Martin J. Fahy, 
plumber ; The Chas. Thatcher Company, plumbers ; A. F. Cowles, millinery ; 
Thomas 1'". Casey & Company, druggists ; John B. Ebbs, druggist ; The D. B. 
Wilson Company, hardware; C. Siebert, manager Singer Manufacturing Com- 
pany; J. F. Phelan, tea store; \^^ X. T,add, groceries; S. .\. Kingman, furniture; 
The Bonner Preston Company; William H. Hall, tailor; Wright & Weible, tea 
store ; E. F. Piatt, groceries. 

One of the first campaigns of the association was in the direction of uniform 
procedure in regard to opening and closing of stores, in addition to such prob- 
lems as street lighting, credit ratings for use of merchants only and store lighting. 

Meetings of the association were held in different i)laces, one of the most 
popular meeting places being the office of Atty. ^L J. Byrne. In 1899 the records 
show that the association was interesting itself in parcel post, food exhibits, 
merchants' carnivals, collection of bad debts, and occasionally in important 
municipal problems. 

In 1899 the membership of the association was 108. In that year the State 
Association of Business Men was formed and W'aterbury was represented at 
the first meeting by John B. Mullings. The committees appointed in 1899 ''•'^^ 
the following titles : Executive and legislative, arbitration and complaints, trans- 
portation and insurance, debts and debtors, telegraph, telephone and postal facili- 
ties, lighting and water facilities, house accounts, clothing, organization. 

Early in its career the Merchants' Association took up the problem of trading 
stamps which was finally disposed of by the state. Other questions agitated were 
extension of trolley facilities, lower rates for telephone service, improvement of 
telephone service, and improvement of railroad service. The association also 
seems to have accomplished some results in the direction of improved mail service. 

At the annual meeting held January 11, 1902, it was voted to change the name 
of the Waterbury Merchants' Association to that of the Waterbury PiUsiness 
Men's Association. The annual dues were kept at the same figure, $5.00 per year, 
and-War'ren L. Hall was chosen its first ]iresident. The character of the associa- 
tion was much the same as under the old name, but the records show that the 
activities of the as.sociation were Ijroadening gradually. In February. 1902, the 
association put itself on record in favor of securing a Government building for 
Waterbury, a step which was comiiletcd when the city had its present Federal 
Building in which the postoffice is located, erected on Grand Street. It was in 
1902 also that the Waterbury Business Men's Association first took steps to urge 
upon the railroad company the necessity for the erection of a Union Station in 
Waterburv. 



watI':kbl'rv axd the naugatl-ck N'ALT.EV -isi 

Din-int,' the ]>eri(j(I brtweni the elianf^^e frniii tlie \\ateH)urv Merchants' Asso- 
ciation to the W'aterhury business ^[en's Assuciatidn. lliere was an umlercurrent 
in fa\or of liroadeniny- the sphere and work nf the assnciation. but the nienilier- 
shi]) was still conlined to lOO merchants and a few Ilr^fcs^i(lnal men, and most 
of its activities were therefcna' alim^- lines of interest nnlv to its members. 

With a larLjer number of iirofes-innal men in the ranks and a few manufac- 
turiuL,-- ciincerns. thei'e was a sincere desire tn shape the affairs of the or,<,'anization 
for t!ie benefit of the community as a tradin;;' center. 'I'hus the extension of the 
trolley system, the improvement of state ro.ids and nnnhci]>.il needs were topics 
of discussion at meetings. I.egislatix e enactments which were desii^iied to im- 
prove or to impair Waterhury as a btisiness and residential communit\ were 
carefully considered and efforts made to demonstrate the true state of pnlilic 
sentiment by trips to the state capitol at ilartfrird dnrini; sessions of the fiencral 
Assembly. These undertakins^s were always led li\- the Husiness Men's Associa- 
tion and were more or less elTecti\e. 

In January, i<;i,^, at the annual meeting- of the \\'ateibur\- business .Men's 
Association the fnllowing^ officers were elected: 

I'resident, Charles A. Colley: first \ ice presiileiit. .\. K. Chattawa\ ; second 
\ice president, Charles h2. I'ulTer; diri-cturs, Willi.nn h,. l^ujtun, Almoii C. |udd, 
John C. Sherwood. Frederick S. Chase, Dr. iMank |. I'.rbe, Charles L. (fanipbell, 
William J. Larkin, Earl R. Iludsdn. C. II. Preston, jr.. .\. S. l.yall, W. 1". Harper, 
Elarry C. Post, C. .'^. Kedmiuid, James W. (iala\in, 1 larrv A. I.t'imcm, .\rchie T. 
Jones, Robert P. Lewis; secretary. Miles P. McXiff; treasurer, Samuel .\. Ph.ase ; 
auditors, William J. I'ape, 1 Karris W. I .,inL;le\-. 

In accepting; the ])residency. Mr. (.'ollex .mnDunced that he faxured reiiaminj; 
the organization the Chamber of Commerce, and ibis was accordinglv done. 

This change, together with an aggressi\e personal campaign for memljcrship 
which Mr. Colley began as soon ;is he was elected, brought ;i great change into 
the organizatidii. Within five numths the memliershi]i, which was aliout two 
hundred in January. HM.v was increased ti> almut five hundred and when the first 
year of Mr. Colley's service as president was cunclnded tlie membership was 
about si.\ hundred. This lirnughl the attention of the vvhule st.ile to the change 
made here. Mr. Colley v.as for some time one of ihe directnrs of the State 
Chamber of Commerce and did much to keep the Waterlmrv organization before 
the iJiiblic eye as an after-dinner speaker and a progressive direclor of the state 
organization. 

'I here \v;is a demand here for a new state arnioi'v and aPo for a normal 
school and the chamljer of commerce did mnch to influence the gener.al .assembly 
in f,a\or of them, Ijut thus f.ar without a\ail. 

< Ine of the outstanding features of the chamlier's activitv under Mr. Colley 
was the social prominen.ce of the organization. Its b;m(|uets were notable events, 
with celebrated sjieakers among the guests. Its hospitalitv was extended to the 
large delegation of the I'.oston Chamber of Connnerce which made a \isit to 
inspect Waterhury in 11)14, 'iii'l t" ^1 committee of legislators who made a visit 
to inspect the old state armory, but who were so well entertained that thev forgot 
all about the wretched building they had seen and forgot to lind an appropriation 
for a new one. 

There was a splendid numicipal budget exhibit made under the auspices of 
the chamber of commerce, following an extensive sur\ev bv the Pnreau of 
Municipal Research of New York. The chamber of commerce aPo handled the 
celebration of Old Home Week, wdiich t(X)k place here Thanksgiving week, 191 5- 
in connection with the completion of the new City Hall and the dedication of 
the clock on The Green. 



288 WATERHURV AXD THE XAUGATUCK \ AIJ.EY 

Publicity of an aggressive lyj^e also was a feature of the cliambcr's work in 
the days of Mr. CoUey's administration. Handsome folders with views of the 
city were printed in quantities and distributed everywhere, and, except during 
the summer months, the Chamber of Commerce Bulletin was issued monthly 
with comments and original articles on topics of the hour. Most of these were 
from tile pen of Mr. Colley himself, but some were contributed. 

With all this there was still much to be desired and Mr. Colley felt the need 
of a permanent headquarters and a secretary who would be employed to give all 
his time to chamber activities. He insisted in 19 15 that he would not serve a 
fourth term and pointed out that the work of the chamber -was growing and 
there was need of a secretary who could give it all his attention. He was pre- 
vailed upon to run again and was elected president in 1916, even after he declared 
that he would have to be paid a salary of $1,200 if he .should hold the office 
another year. 

In recognition also of the extra work of the secretary, Miles E. McNifT, a 
young attorney, who also was re-elected, was given a larger salary, so that the 
chamber's payroll jumped from $300 a year to $1,800 per year. 

At the end of that year the salary of the president was discontinued, and the 
nominating committee brought in a recommendation that a permanent secretary 
be employed. The ofificers and directors elected in January, 191 7, are named 
below : 

President, Nathaniel R. Uronson ; vice i)residents, Charles E. Puffer, and 
Alexander S. Lyall ; treasurer, Samuel A. Chase ; directors, Edward W. Beach, 
John M. Burrall, Frederick S. Chase, Charles A. Colley, Darragh DeLancey. 
Dr. v. ]. Erbe, James W. Galavin, Atty. Frank P. Guilfoile, William J. Larkin, 
Martin J. McEvoy, Atty. Miles F. McNifif, Harry C. Post, John C. Sherwood, 
Charles A. Templeton, Cornelius Tracy. 

T. F. Barry, former managing editor of the Waterbury Republican, was 
elected secretary of the chamber of commerce and the cbamlier opened head- 
quarters February 26th, at 108 Bank Street. 

From the beginning of this period the chamber has been more active and 
more interested in all local activities. During the year 1917 it assisted in all 
undertakings of a community nature incident to the war. Two Red Cross 
membership campaigns, food conservation movements. Liberty Eoan campaigns, 
recruiting campaigns for the army, navy, officers' training camps and co-operation 
with the local exemption boards and the draftees of the city and surrounding 
territory are outstanding features of its war w'ork program. 

Its officers have been re-elected for service in 1918 and while its activities of 
this year have depleted its treasury, w-ith the exception of a reserve fund of 
$4,000 judiciously set aside during President Colley 's administration, it is facing 
the future with hope of opportunities for greater service to the community and 
anticipation of generous and stanch support while it continues to give service. 

Tllh; W.\TER1U-UV CI.l'i: 

The Watcrlniry Club was organized September 20. 1881. with thirty members. 
Its first president was Augustus S. Chase, with D. S. Plume and Charles Dickin- 
son as vice presidents, Mark L. Sperry as secretary, and F. L. Curtiss as treasurer. 
In July, 1894, the club moved from small quarters in the Waterbury Bank 
Building, which had been taken in 1899, to the large house on North Main Street 
built by Dr. Alfred North. In 1916, when the new building on West Main Street 
was planned, the old club house was sold to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, who 
at once took possession, the club moving to the top floor of the Elton. 




THE (OCNTUV CM'P., WATKRIU'HV 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 289 

The new club house, of which the architect is Cass Gilbert of New York, is 
in the Colonial style of architecture. 

It has a length of 135 feet on Central Avenue and a frontage of 68 feet on 
West Main Street. It is three stories in height and of brick construction, the 
interior to be finished largely in oak. 

In the basement there will be three bowling alleys, with a large squash court 
on the West Main Street front. The gymnasium, which occupies the rear of 
the building for its full width, takes up the remainder of the basement and part 
of the first floor and will be one of the finest athletic rooms in the state. 

On the main floor the entire West Main Street front will be occupied by a 
sumptuously furnished lounging room. At the rear of this, with a lobby entrance, 
will be the cafe on one side and the billiard room on the other. The rear of this 
floor is the upper part of the gymnasium. 

On the second floor the club dining-room will front on West Main Street. 
Behind this are to be the kitchen and card rooms on the Central Avenue side. 
Over the gymnasium there will be a finely-equipped ladies' dining-room and 
ladies' lounging room. The library is to be close to this. 

On the third floor the Home Club will have its bachelor quarters. The entire 
West ]\lain Street front is to be a lounging room. There are to be eighteen 
apartments for club members, witii a balcony extending along the Central Avenue 
side and another on the opposite side. Servants' quarters are provided for on 
the fourth floor. 

It is believed the clulj house will be ready for occupancy by tlie late spring 
of 1918. 

The Club Site Committee, which is in general charge of the construction work, 
consists of Arthur R. Kimball, George A. Driggs, George Rockwell, F. S. Chase. 
Edwin C. Northrop, and Charles E. Si)cncer, Jr. 

The present officers are : President, Charles E. Spencer, Jr. ; secretary. Lewis 
M. Hart; treasurer, Edwin C. Northrop. 

The presidents of the Waterbury Club lia\e been as follows, with year of 
election : 

August S. Chase, 1881 ; James S. Elton, iScjj; Mark L. Sperry, 1894; Fred- 
erick B. Rice, 1898; George L. White. 1899; Arthur O. Jennings, 1901 ; Lewis 
A. Piatt, 1902; Charles S. Rodman, 1904; Robert F. Griggs, 1905; Lewis A. 
Piatt, Kp": C. M. Clark, 1910; A. R. Kimball, 1912; Charles E. Spencer, Jr., 1913. 

THE COrNTRV rl.lr. HI' WATERBURY 

The Country Club of Waterbury was the immediate successor of the Water- 
bury Golf Association, which Iiad a small clubhouse and a nine-hole golf course 
on the golf lots on West Main Street, following the east shore of the Naugatuck 
River northwards. It was in existence from i8g8 until succeeded by the new- 
organization. The last officials of the Golf Association were : Frederick J. 
Brown, president ; Howard S. White, secretary ; I. P. Kellogg, treasurer. The 
Waterbury Country Club, formed in icp-, was incorporated in 1908. Its first 
officials were : President, George L. ^^'bite ; secretary. Frederick J. Brown : 
treasurer. William B. Merriman. 

The grounds. 183 acres, on what is now known as the Country Club Road, 
on the outskirts of Middlebury, were in 1908 laid out for golf and tennis, and a 
beautiful clubhouse erected. In i<)i7 two additional tennis courts were laid out, 
making six in all now open for use by members. 



290 WATERBURY AND THE XAUGATUCK VALLEY 

The present officers are: W. W. Holmes, president; S. 1'. Williams, secre- 
tary; Roberts G. Hannegan, treasurer. 

Former President Wm. H. Taft is an honorary member. 

THE WATERBURY DRIVING ASSOCIATION 

The Waterbury Driving Association was organized in i88y, as the Waterbury 
Driving Company, leasing the grounds on the Watertown Road and laying out 
the present driving park. The association has held no races during recent years, 
although sub-letting to others who have given meets. The present officers are: 
President, Thomas Bland : secretary, Henry W. Minor ; treasurer, Frank Hayes. 

THE WATERBURY AUTOMOIill.E CLUB 

The Waterbury Automobile Club, organized through the efforts of Almon C. 
Judd, February 20, 1909, was active for some years in the work of protecting the 
interests of automobile owners. It has done but little along these lines during 
the past two years. 

Its present officers are: President, W. W. Holmes; treasurer, H. S. Seeley. 

* ' THE NATURALIST CLUI! 

The Naturalist Club of Waterbury was organized in June, 1895, through the 
efforts of H. F. Bassett, then librarian of the Bronson Library. It has held its 
meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month regularly throughout 
each winter since that time, following the club motto, "Observe and Remember." 
Its meetings have always been held in the parlors of the Second Church. On 
June 22, 191 5, the club celebrated its twentieth anniversary with a banquet. 

The present officers are: President, Richard C. Allen; vice president. Miss 
Emma L. Bailey; recording secretary, Mrs. Elsie Camp Martin; corresponding 
secretary, j\Iiss Anna H. Pierpont; treasurer. Miss M. Louise Seymour. 

THE NOSAHOGAN PISC.VTOKIAl. ASSOCIATION 

The Nosahogan Piscatorial Association is a club formed by members of 
Nosahogan Lodge of Odd Fellows. It was established as a fishing club in 1890. 
but is now a social club with rooms in the Odd Fellows Temple. Its present 
officers are: President, George M. Egan; secretary and treasurer, Frederick 
W. Tate. 

THE ABAG.\DASSEr CLUB 

The Abagadasset Club was fust chartered December 15. 1902, and when the 
Mullings Building was completed in 1903 special club rooms were provided for 
the organization. The founders were George G. Mullings, George W. Camp, 
Frank T. Clark, Wm. P. Lamb, J. A. Upson, J. Rawson Hughes, E. T. Crooker, 
Dr. W. O. Beecher and J. H. Gray. It was purely a social organization. Its 
officers in 1914 when it decided to dissolve were: President, Archie T. Jones; 
secretary, Arthur F. McGraw ; treasurer, George W. Greene. It took its name 
from the' Indian word which meant a place of shelter, and is mentioned in the 
historial works of Waterbury. 




AN IXTi:i;in|; \-|i:\V OF TIIF KLKS" ( TJ'I'.. \VATi:i; l;i l;^ 



W'ATEKBURY .\ND THE XAUGATL'CK VALLEY 2'Jl 



riu- >(iniliiil,ilil\ .nranL;('il ami 1» aiili i'uPa aiii>iii)ilccl \i\k--' lluiiu- is located on 
\\'f>l Alain Sn-ixl. tin- ilcdioaliciii ni \hv new liinldini; lakinn; |ilace in Kjio. The 
exercises were attended liy a ncitalile i^atherinL; nf j-'dk^ from all (i\er the eiinntr\. 
The elnl) and ludije at lir-t i>eeii])ied a >iiite nf riKini^ at loS Hank Street, where 
itsalTair> were held nnlil it> elTeets llu-rt' were destnixed in ihe L;real e( jnlla!,fralinn 
(it H)ii-'. I'lr three years it had il> ronnis in the W alerhiny Trusi ( i)ni]ian\ I'.tiilih 
inj^- liin in nji") it- nienihers I'aised l'nn(K In jiiu'ehase the I'nrli--, llcmie nn West 
Main Su'eet and the I'ullnwini^ \ear il rreeled a handsdine liuildinL; hark (if the 
(lid resiilence. In Hiij I'rnnian S. Lewis iift'ere(l the cluh ,Sl6.000 fcir the Cdnijilete 
interiiir reniwaliriL; nl ihe nld Innldinv and alxi its (lUtlittin.i;'. L'jinn the \v(irk 
heini,' eiiniiilel(.'(l it was t'dtind (Hit. hnwawer, that the cost had nni ttji t(i $2(),l(X3, 
yet Air. Lewis insisted in making; this amdunt his donation. Tlu arrangements are 
niosi coinenienl. inelndinL^ new Imwlin;^'- alle\s and tennis eonrls anioni; die atlra(,-- 
linns for the ( iiienainincnt of nieniliers and miests. 

•rut: .■\[.(,on(.)U1n cluh 

The .\lgunquin lluh was a social organization with a nienihership of twenty, 
ha\ injn chill rooms at _i_> I'.ank Street. Its officers, w hi'n it was organized in 
1908 were; Lresident. JuLvard l\eaL secretary. .Vlfred Stratih; treasurer, Michael 
J. Lawdor. In KjIO its menihership was sni.all .and it ,L;a\e tl]i its cluh rooms and 
its existence. 

PRr)I--E,SSI()\.\l. ()RG.\XIZ.\TI().\S 

W.\l LKlUin i:.\R .\SSO( I.StlOX 

The W'aterhury I'.ar Associ.'ition is not a continuing organization with hydaws 
and regular elections, hut is in existence f(jr emergency puri")Oscs only. When- 
ever action bv the W'aterhury har is necessary, the dean of the profession, who at 
this time is ludge Edward F. Cole, calls a meeting and at this a secretary is 
elected wdio holds that office for the next meeting. At present the acting secretary 
is LawTence L. Lewis. 

W'.\TKRI'.URV A^^D1(•.\L .\SSOCIATION 

The W'aterhury Medical Association was organized February 5. 1857. and 
althotigh it did much during its earlier existence to preserve the ethics of the 
profession, it was not until March 20. ii;)o8. that it was incorporated with this 
as its specific object, "to establish and maintain the ]iractice of medicine and 
surgery in this city upon a respectable footing." 

It has done much in the way of mutual improvement and in the establish- 
ment of harmonious relations between members. 

Its membership on December i, 1917, is sixty-three. 

Its present officers arc : President. Dr. P. T. O'Connor ; vice president. Dr. 
Edward L. Smith: secn-t.-iry. Dr. Edward A. Herr; treasurer. F'r. Charles S. 
Rodman. 

THE W.vrERr.fin- DENTAL AS.SQCIATION 

The Waterbury Dental Association w-as organized as a purely professional 
body on May 16. 1905, and has now twenty-eight active members on its list. At 
present its officers'are: President, Dr. W'ilHam C. Spain: vice iiresident. Dr. 



292 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \' ALLEY 

William D. Greenberg. Both the secretary, Dr. Frederick C. Daniels, and the 
treasurer, Dr. Maurice D. Berman, have volunteered for professional work in 
the army. 

THE CELTIC MEDIC.\L SOCIETY 

In 1906 twenty physicians of Waterbury formed the Celtic Medical Society. 
It had but one purpose, the establishment of a second hospital in the city. The 
society began at once to gather data and to present facts to prominent citizens, 
interesting especially Monsignor Slocum, who then became the mainstay of the 
projected St. Mary's Hospital. Its officers were: President, Dr. E. W. Mc- 
Donald; vice president. Dr. B. A. O'Hara; secretary. Dr. John D. Freney; 
treasurer. Dr. J. F. Hayes. 

In 1909, when St. Mary's Hospital was dedicated, the Celtic Medical Society 
ceased to exist. 

WOMEN'S CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS 

THE WATERBURY WOMEN's CLUB 

The Waterbury Women's Club was organized in April, 1898. through the 
efforts and the iimpiration of Mrs. George S. Abbott. 

The first officers of the club were: Corinne R. Morrow, president; Elizabeth 
O. R. Abbott, corresponding secretary ; Harriet E. Meers, recording secretary ; 
Harriet Elton Stevens, treasurer ; and Jennie A. Upson, auditor. The first 
regular meeting of the club was held in the parlors of the first Congregational 
Church. At the close of the fourth year the club membership had increased 
from 45 to 135, and in 1891 it was united with the General Federation of Women's 
clubs, uniting with the State Federation in 1897. It was incorporated in 1915. 

The present membership is 350, with a waiting list. Meetings are held twice 
monthly, from the first Tuesday in October, until the last Tuesday in April. 
The object of the club is to promote the intellectual and social culture of its 
members and its line of work includes the study of ethics, art and literature, 
education and science. Each year an excellent course of lectures is given. 

Many interesting papers were read at the meetings by members of the club. 
Among the purely social events of the club are the opening reception, which is 
called the club tea.' the first Tuesday in October; the midwinter tea in January, 
and the annual reception in April. 

The present officers of the club are : President, Mrs. Adrian L. MuUoy ; 
recording secretary, Mrs. John L. Geist; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Clarendon 
Nickerson; treasurer, Mrs. Benjamin Chatfield. 

The following have been the presidents of the Waterbury Women's Club 
since its organization: 1889-1890, Mrs. J. Henry Morrow; 1890-1892, Mrs. 
Daniel F. Webster; 1892-1894, Mrs. Edward L. Frisbie ; 1894-1896, Mrs. Gilman 
C. Hill; 1896-1898, Mrs. Sumner A. Kingman; 1898-1899. Mrs. Isaac N. Russell: 
1899-1901, Mrs. Jay H. Hart; 1901-1903. Mrs. David B. Hamilton; 1903-1905, 
Mrs. Otis S. Northrop; 1905-1907. Mrs. Wm. H. Phipps; 1907-1909, Mrs. Wm. 
F. Chatfield : 1909-1910. Mrs. Ellis Phelan ; 1910-1912, Mrs. Frederick D. Buckley ; 
1912-1914, Mrs. Frederick M. Peasley ; 1914-1916, Mrs. Augustin A. Crane; 
1916-1918, Mrs. Adrian L. Mulloy. 

D.\UG1ITERS or THE .\.MERJC.\N REVOLUTION' 

Melicent Porter Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution was founded 
Tanuarv 27. i8<>3. by Mrs. S. \^^ Kellogg and now numbers forty members. In 



\\ ATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY -I'Xi 

Bronson Library is a bronze tablet erected by tbis cbapter, in memory of tbe 
men from this town who fought in the Revolutionary war. The chapter also 
put a tablet in the old Porter Home in Union City. It aided in the erection of 
the Scott monument at Watertown, and in the placing of the historic boulder 
on Andrews Hill in Naugatuck. On its roster are the names of many of ^\'ater- 
bury's most distinguished residents. 

On November 8, 1912, the nineteenth general meeting of tlu- Cnnnecticui 
Daughters of the American Revolution met with the Melicent I'lirier Chapter 
at the First Congregational Church. The address of the day was by the Rev. 
Samuel Hart, president of the State Historical Society. 

The past chapter regents of Melicent Porter Chapter are: .Mrs. Stephen W. 
Kellogg. 1893-1898; Mrs. Henry C. Griggs, 1898- u)Oo: Miss Susie Hill, 1900-1901 : 
-Mrs. r)tis S. Xorthrop, i<)0i-itj03: Mrs. John S. Castle. i903-i<)05: Mrs. D. F. 
Webster, 1905-1906; Mrs. Edward \\'. Shannon, 1906-1908; Mrs. P>. IL Bristol, 
1908-1910; Mrs. Edward Shannon.'iQio-igis ; Mrs. R. \Vm. Hampson, 1915-1917. 

Its present officers are: Honorary regent, Mrs. Emily A. Sbannnn; regent, 
Mrs. R. William Hampson; registrar, Katherine D. Hamiltnn ; treasurer, Almira 
C. Twining; recording secretary, Mrs. E. .Sidney Bronson; corresponding sec- 
retary, Mrs. J. B. Jones; historian, IMrs. C. 1'.. b^critt: curator, Mrs. Cornelius 
Tracy. 

c-.\Tiioi.ir wo.mkn'.s r.i:\::\oi.i-,\T i.i:i,io.\ 

The Catholic Women's Benevolent Legion. I\e\-. Lawrence Walsh branch, 
was organized in 1907 by Mrs. Raffertv of Worcester, Mass. The object of the 
legion is principally benevolence. 

The present officers are: President, K. \L lonway ; secretary. 1".. G. Guilfoile : 
collector, Mrs. J. H. Turley ; treasurer, Jennie Bergin. 

THE mothers' club 

The Waterville Mothers' Club was organized April i, T(,)04, meeting on the 
irrst Thursday of each month at Sprague School. Its first officers were: Presi- 
dent, Mrs. Alfred L. Emmons; secretary, Mrs. J. S. Holroyd. It has developed 
into an exceedingly valuable organization gi\ing teachers an opportunity to discuss 
manv essential school needs direct with the mothers of the pupils. In 1916 the 
title was changed to the Waterville Child Welfare Association. Its officers are: 
President, Mrs. Geo. Monroe; secretary, Mrs. Fred Wolf; treasurer, Mrs. W. 
Harper. 

ATHLETIC AND SPORTING ORGANIZATIONS 

THE RECREATION ROD -\ND GUN CLUB 

The Recreation Rod and Gun Club was organized in 191 2, and leased the 
large ten-room house belonging to the T. H. Hayes estate and located on tlie 
Pearl Lake Road near Piedmont. Its first officers were : President, P>. A. Wilmot ; 
secretary, W. G. Donovan ; treasurer, G. F, O'Neill. It now has a membership 
of ninety-two. Its present officers are: President, George H. Wheeler; secretary, 
William G. Donovan; financial secretary. William H. Muus ; treasurer, George 
F. O'Neill. 

The members enjoy both the hunting and fishing whicli is plentiful during 
seasons. Its club evenings are held on the second Friday of each month. 



294 W'ATF.RP.URY AXD THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

THE I!KOOKl.^•^■ A'l'iiLicnc cLn: 

The JJi-ooklyii Athletic Club, founded in iiS.Sfj, was in 1894 a flourishing organ- 
ization with many of its athletic activities in full swing. Its officers in that year 
were: President, John M. Barrett: vice president, James W". Dawson: recording 
secretary, Thomas F. Mitchell; financial secretary, James Powers; treasurer, 
Patrick Keough. 

At that period the club was nxceting at 796 Bank Street. In 1902 it moved to 
its present quarters at 776 Bank Street. Its membership is today 125. Of these 
forty-one are now in the army, a service record of which the club is justly proud. 
It has in its parlors today twenty-one silver trophies won by its athletic teams 
since 1901. In that year they took second prize in the City Amateur Baseball 
League, winning first place in 1902, 1903, 190.;, 1906 and 1909. In 1913 it won 
the mile relay at the municipal meet in Hamilton Park on Labor Day with this 
team: John Hickey, manager, J. Brickley, 11. .\ur;iy. Z. Jamelle, T. Caldwell. 
It also won the point trophy at this meet. 

In 1914 with W. Pollard, manager, and G. Kingston. J. P.rickley, Z. Jamclle, 
and W. Roberge, it again won in the team relay. 

The point trophy was again won in 1915 at the city meet. 

In 1916 it finished first in the city ba.sket-ball tournament, having finished 
second in both 1914 and 1915. 

These are but a few of its athletic victories. 

Of the first thirty-eight members examined for the army there was but one 
rejected. 

Among its honor members in the United States service are Captain William 
J. Shanahan and Sergeant Edward Groody. 

Its officers now are: Thomas Conway, president; John Danisevicze, vice 
president ; John Gloven, recording secretary ; Frank Regan, financial secretary ; 
Anthony Carroll, treasurer. 

Till-; MATT-vrrcK uon .\xr) gun ci.ur. 

The Mattatuck Rod and Gun Club was incorporated in 1902 although it had 
then been in existence for some years with a small membership of ardent hunters 
and trap shooters. After its incorporation it leased ground on the Watertown 
Road near the site of the present Waterbury Rolling Mills and built an iS by 24 
cottage. In 1905 it put in two "western" traps and has held annual turnaments 
until the beginning of the war period. In 1906 it organized its women's corps of 
which Mrs. C. FI. Beere is now captain. Some fine scores have been made by the 
women at the traps. 

It has now about one hundred members and its officers are : Dr. C. II. Beere, 
president and secretary; David R. Walker, vice president; Peter Fitzhenry. 
treasurer ; William Woods, financial secretary ; John Draher, field captain. The 
club is now looking about for new grounds and will probably build a model club 
house in 19 iS. 

TIIK WATKKltlUV PISTOL AND RIFI.F. CLfll 

The Waterbury Pistol and Rifle Club was organized in August, 1917, by officers 
of the Home Guard with a view to perfecting its members in pistol and rifle shoot- 
ing. Among its prominent organizers are Colonel James Geddes, Lieut. Col. 
A.^F. Wolflf, Maj. Wm. H. Sandland, Captains Thomas F. Jackson, and R. L. 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 2'J5 

Keaveney, Joseph O'Neill, Henry Littlejohn, C. A. Templeton, and Fred W. 
Chesson. It now numbers about one hundred members. Its range is at Reynolds 
Bridge, Thomaston. 

WADIIAM POST. G. A. R. 

The Grand Army of the Republic, once the largest military society in the 
United States, is rapidly dwindling away. Waterbury is proud of VVadham Post 
No. 49, G. A. R.. which was organized with forty members on August 14, 1879, 
by Department Commander Charles E. Fowler. It took its name from that of 
three Waterljury brothers killed in action in the Civil war within the space of 
sixteen days. The post did much toward the erection of the Soldiers' Monument, 
and has never failed to respond to every call for patriotic work. The same may 
be said of the Wadham Relief Corps. 

Its highest membership was 3(0. Today there are sixty-two left on the roll, 
eleven having died in lOiO. Here is the roll of Wadham Post No. 49. G. A. R., 
on December i, 1917: 

Charles E. Beeman, 2nd Conn. H. A., Co. H. 

Hopkins J. Benham, 2nd Conn. H. A.. Co. P. 

James \V. Benham, 14th Conn. Infty., Co. 1. 

Edward Bergen, Seaman, Ship Utah, Navy. 

Zenas C. Bowen, loth Vermont Infty., Co. PI. 

Eli Bronson. 23rd Conn. Infty., Co. A. 

Henry Menold, 9th Conn. Infty., Co. F. 

Alex Buchanan, 20th N. Y. Ind. Battery. 

John Byrnes, 2nd Conn. H. A., Co. G. 

Oliver G. Camp, 15th Conn. Infty.. Co. II. 

Wesley F. Cashman, 14th N. Y. Pi. A.. Co. E. 

Wm. P. Chatfield, Master Mate, Gunboat Kittatinny. 

Frederick Coon. 8th Conn. Infty., Co. F. 

Thomas M. Dodds, Ship Richmond. 

Geors^e M. Evans, ist Conn. Cav., Co. B. 

Niles^T. Engelke, 47th N. Y. Infty.. Co. D. 

Aloses Hallas, 22nd Conn. Inft)'.. Co. F. 

George W. Jackson, ist \'ermont Cav., Co. I. 

John S. Hayes, 3rd Conn. Battery, L. A. 

John W. Hill, 6th Conn. Infty., Co. E. 

Walter F. Hinckley. 45th Infty.. Co. H. 

William .\. Plollman. Landsman, .Sliip Richmond. 

Charles Hutchins, J3rdMass. \'nls., Co. G. 

George Hartley, 23rd Conn. lnft\-., Co. H. 

Andrew J. Kenneally. 14th L'. S. Infty.. Co. F. 

Frederick Korngiebel, J 1st Cnnn. Infty., Co. A. 

James Loucks, 15th N. Y. Infty., Co. E. 

Volney Matthews, 2nd N. J. Infty.. Co. B. 

Dennis A. McGraw, 23rd Conn. Infty., Co. H. 

John McLarney, U. S. Navy. 

Henry W. Brown, 14th Conn. Infty., Co. C. 

Harris W. Minor, 6th Conn. Infty., Co. E. 

Abraham C. Naylor, 39th Mass. Infty., Co. F. 

Homer F. Northrop, 24th N. Y. Cav., Co. C. 

.■\aron Peck. 17th Conn. Infty., Co. G. 



296 A\ATEKBURY AND THE XArGATL'CK \-AI.LKY 

Eugene A. Pendleton, 9th Ohio Ind. Battery, L. A. 
George L. Piatt, 8th Conn. Infty, Co. E. 
Hanford L. Plumb, 112th N. Y. Infty., Co. B. 
Wales Porter, 8th Conn. Infty., Co. I. 
William B. Quigley, 22nd Conn. Infty., Co. E. 
Daniel J. Rafferty, 1st Conn. H. A., Co. C. 
George O. Robbins, i6th Conn. Infty., Co. K. 
Charles M. Rowley, 2nd Conn. H. A., Co. I. 
John L. Saxe, 4th N. Y. Cav., Co. F. 
Chauncey Seeley, 2nd Conn. H. A., Co. I. 
George E. Sellew, 7th Conn. Infty., Co. C. 
Sylvester Shea, 13th Mass. Battery, L. A. 
Samuel C. Snagg, ist Conn. H. A., Co. C. 
Dwight L. Somers, 14th Conn. Infty., Co. C. 
John S. Stephen, 76th N. Y. Infty., Co. H. 
Stephen A. Talmage, 6th Conn. Infty., Co. E. 
Levi W. Tillotson, ist Kansas Infty., Co. E. 
Ruby M. True, 2nd N. H. Infty., Co. B. 
William Tysoe, 124th N. Y. Infty., Co. G. 
LeRoy Upson, ist Conn. Battery, L. A. 
Charles D. Weaver, loth Conn. Infty., Co. F. 
Curtis P. Wedge, 2nd Conn. PI. A., Co. A. 
David L. Wells, 120th N. Y. Infty., Co. C. 
Andrew Winters, 6th Conn. Infty., Co. C. 
Seth Woodward, 27th Conn. Infty., Co. E. 
James R. Young, ist Conn. H. A., Co. C. 

Below is a list of the past post commanders with dates of service ; William 
Tysoe, 1879; George Robbins, 1882; Oscar W. Cornish, 1888; Wesley F. Cash- 
man, 1889; George L. Piatt, 1891 ; John S. Hayes, 1893; William E. Quigley, 
1896; Eugene A. Pendleton, 1898; John S. Stephens, 1900; Chauncey Seeley, 
1901 ; Frederick Korngiebel, 1905 ; John L. Saxe, 1910; Levi Tillotson, 1912; Alex 
Buchanan, 1914; Henry W. Brown, 1915; Andrew J. Kenneally, 1916; Curtis 
P. Wedge, 191 7. 

The following are the officers for 1917: Commander, Curtis P. Wedge; 
S. V. commander, Aaron Peck; J. V. commander, Wales Porter; Adjt., Chauncey 
Seeley; Q. M., William Tysoe; surgeon, Hanford L. Plumb; chaplain, Levi W. 
Tillotson. 

Wadham Relief Corps No. i has the following officers: President, Mrs. 
Mattie Ward; secretary, Mrs. Fannie M. Warner; treasurer, Mrs. Lura E. Dutton. 

SONS OF Vr-MERANS 

Sons of \'etcrans Wadham Camp No. 49, has the following officers: Com- 
mander, Venton D. Cashman; S. V. C, William Loomis; J. V. C, Robert S. 
Cooper; secretary, John S. Gallagher; treasurer, Louis E. Granger; chaplain, 
Benjamin R. Singleton; patriotic instructor, Herman M. Turrell. 

OTHER P.\TRI0TIC SOCIETIES 

The Connecticut Society Sons of the American Revolution, which is a state 
branch of the national organization of that name, has no distinctively local chapters. 
Waterbury has, however, been honored quite often by representation in its official 
family. In 1899 former Congressman Stephen W. Kellogg was on its board of 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 2:(7 

managers. In kjoi and 191J George E. Judd was similarly honored. In 190J 
and 1903 Alark L. Sperr}- and in 191 1 John P. Elton served in the same capacity, 
(ien. .Merrit Heminway of Watertown was also for years on its board of managers. 

In the State Society of Colonial Wars, Arthur R. Kimball of Waterbury 
was in 1909 chosen lieutenant governor, serving until 1913. 

In the Military Order of the Foreign Wars of the United States. Connecticut 
Branch, Col. Lucien F. Burpee was vice commander for 191 _> and 1913. Rev. 
Alexander Hamilton of Woodbury has been chaplain since iQoS. 

In 1903 the Connecticut officers of the Spanish-American war formed a ^tate 
branch of the Naval and Military Order of the Spanish-American war. Of this 
Judge Lucien F. Burpee has been vice commander since its organization. It 
holds annual meetings in the State House at Hartford. 

In 1903 the Department of Connecticut, United Spanish War \ clerans, uas 
formed with local branches in many towns of the state. Emerson H. Liscum 
Camp No. 12, of Waterbury, was organized in 1907 with Aubrey S. Edwards 
as captain. Its captains since that date have been Joseph Monaghan, Joseph C- 
Heolion, Adolph P. King, M. A. Carter, Wm. H. Atkins, John H. Hitchcock, 
Frederick P. Houston. 

Gustave Asheim and A. P. King of Waterbury have both served as marshal 
and inspector of the State Department. 

Waterbury is strongly represented in the Connecticut Society of the Order 
of the Founders and Patriots of America. Rev. John G. Davenport has been 
its state chaplain since 1913, and Aldis A. Lovell has served it for the same period 
as state's attorney. In 1916 Benj. L. Coe was chosen councilor for three vears. 
Its genealogist is Charles Westburn Church. 

Waterbury's women descendants of Colonial Dames have taken a deep interest 
in the Connecticut Society of the Colonial Dames of America. In 1905 and 1906 
Martha R. Driggs was its recording secretary, serving in 1909, 1910 and 191 1, 
and again in 1916 as vice president. In 1908 Edith D. Kingsbury was vice presi- 
dent and in 191 2 served a term as corresponding secretary. Its meetings are 
held annually. 

THE r.VTRICK S.ARSFIELD CLUH 

The Patrick Sarstield Club is a purely educational organization which in 
1895 was already active in its work of keeping alive the Gaelic language and 
in commemorating all those celebrated deeds and events which have made history 
in Ireland. Its important meeting is held annually, on some great Irish anniversary, 
and is in the shape of a banquet at the Elton, but this has been discontinued during 
the war period. Among its notable officials have been Henry Southwick, John 
Claffey, Joseph McGrail, Morgan T. Burke. John Kierney. Michael J. Lynch, 
Francis P. Guilfoile, Dennis J. Slavin, John J. Howard. 

Its officers in 1917 are: President, Timothy F. Luddy ; recording secretary, 
Wm. L Hughes; financial secretary. Michael Carroll; treasurer, John J. Claffey. 



fHAI'Tl'IK XXIV 
AIL'SIC AXD THK DRAMA 

\V.\ ll-.RIU'KV S^■.M I'lluXV OkCIIKSTRA — ClllUi II CllolUS RI'.KI NDLK IN'TEREST IN 
.MUSIC — Tllli lUXKIXCHAM MUSIC HALL — ORATORIO SOCIICTV AND ITS CELE- 

ISRATIvl) MAY I-KSTIVAL WATERIU.JKY CHORAL CLUH GICRMAN SINGING SOCIETIES 

— THI;ATR1CAL history of a quarter century THE ADVENT OF POLl's THE 

MOXIE I'ERIOD THE WORK OK EUGENE JACQUES AMATEUR THEATRICALS. 

Waterbury, like all American cities, has had constant changes in its musical 
life, but since 1893 it has at least been rich in a great host of music lovers, who 
have given their time and tlicir money to educate the city from a musical stand- 
j)oint. 

Beginning in 1866 and still continuing, now the oldest musical organization in 
the city, is the Concordia, a German male chorus, Hans Saro, director, and its 
concerts are of the highest order. Director Saro has for over two decades been 
active in this fine work of advancing musical interest in Waterbury. 

In 1902 the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Charles E. Farn- 
ham was a decided artistic advance. This, too, has been a continuous organization. 
For years it was known as the I'arnham Symphony Orchestra. During the past 
three years it has been known as the Waterbury Philharmonic Orchestra. Its 
latest concert. gi\en in IQ16, was up to its usual high standard. The president of 
the organization is John L. Boim, with George F. F.oyd and Howard F>ristol also 
active in its management. 

But the churches did most to keep alive the practice of music and the taste 
for it. Dwellers in great cities, where concert and opera are frequent, often over- 
look the relative importance of church music in smaller communities. In cities 
of 100,000 or less, the singing of a standard choral work by an ambitious choir, 
or even the special music prepared for Christmas, Easter, or other church 
festivals becomes a matter of popular note and significance The history of 
music in America begins, all commentators agree, with the psalm and hymns of 
early New England worshipers. 

So it was a church choir that rekindled in u>03 the general interest of Water- 
bury in music. Its latest predecessor had been the Harmonic Society, born in 
1889. died in 1894. which in 1890 gave "Elijah" for the first time in Waterbury 
and brought to the citv the famous Germania orchestra of l^ostoiL Us director 
was Alex S. Gibson. 

Meanwhile the choir of Trinity Church had been developing into a reliable 
and flexible musical instrument. Its organist and director, George E. Boyd, at- 
tracted considerable notice for the choir by performing Stainer's Crucifixion, 
Sullivan's Prodigal Son, Dudley Buck's setting of the Forty-sixth Psalm, Gaul's 
Passion Service, and long excerpts from Mendelssohn's St. Paul. 

Pressure of other business compelled Mr. Boyd to resign his church post in 
1898, But in October, 1903. desiring to give The Alessiah, Mr. Boyd organized 
the Trinitv Choral Society, with the choir as a nucleus. The singers were good 

298 



WATERBURV AND THE NAUGATL'CK VAL[.I-:V I'Dit 

readers, for after only nine rehearsals, the fi,t;luv-fuur xoiees t;(it thnmyh 
creditably. The orchestra of forty g.ave .Mr. I'.oyd his llr^t exiiericnce as a 
conductor of instriniunta! imi^ic. In i<)0|-; tlir TrinitN- Choral .'^ocietv repeated 
The Messiah and .ilxi ^an- I'.lij.di. h.i\ni<^ ^rown tci i :;3 xnices. There was similar 
activity the fcillowint; \ear. 

When the W aterhury ll()>])it.il was iilanped, |iihn II. \\ liiUcnn iic nll)de^tly 
ottered to oiw a pint in the he.irt of the luwn and tn creel tlurenn ,i line Imsiness 
building. — a donati<.in [n tiie hospital. \.ahied at (i\cr two hnndnMJ thousand 
dollars. This w.is the moment seized ujjou hv .Mr. I'.oyd. .Mi>> .M,ir\ R. Ilillard. 
Isaac I!. Clark. .Miiert J. I'dakeslev . John L. I'.unn, Charles l'.. |-";irnhani, R. A. 
Laslett Smith. ,ind other far-seein"; musical enthu>iasl'~ to urL:e \\ ;iterbur\ "s 
need of a th^i-cl.i-^ concert hall. They laid the f.icls before .Mr. Whitteniore. 
They showed how in,ide(|U,itc the city hrdi and the churches h.id proven, foi' 
important musical yatheriuL;-. They pointed out the L;r(i\vinj,f taste for music, the 
existence of a me;isurable :nid incrcisint; public demandiui; the best .and willing;, 
under proper cond'tion--. t(] p.iy for it. They su.i^.nesled that a lars,'e concert room 
in the jiroposcd r.uckiui^ham Ihii'dinj^" would provide I'eveuue for tlii' hospit.al 
by encouraging the visits of the great orchestras and nuisical .artists. 

After due consideration. .Mr. Whittcmore acquiesced. The new li.ill. as ])art 
of the large office building, was designed by JMcKim, .Mead & White, and was 
dedicated October 3. ic)o'>, with two concerts. \ ictor Herbert and his orchestr.i 
played; the soloists were ]\fme. Eouise TTomer and Campanari ; the Choral .Society 
sang the Hallelujah chorus from the Messiah, with other fitting music. It became 
a Naugatuck Valley occasion and the people thronged the new house and evinced 
the liveliest satisfaction. Mr. Herliert declared the hall suiierior in .acoustics to 
any in New York, and the musicians and auditors joined him in pr.aise of its 
comfort, convenience and beauty. 

This music hall holds an audience of lifteen hundred, and there is room for 
nearly five hundred persons on the stage. It was ])lanned and executed with all tlie 
skill and taste that the architects, backed by the liberal giver, could command. 

The choral body later became the ^^'atcrbury ( )ratorio Society, conducted by 
Richard T. Percy of New York. 

At the published suggestion of Miss Mary R. Hillard, the Music League was 
formed to raise and manage what was intended to be a permanent guarantee 
fund. In iqot half a dozen men of Waterbury, taking their ideas from a Hartford 
organization, formed themselves into the Camelot Club. Raising among its six 
members several hundred dollars, the Camelot Club kept this as a fund, enabling 
it to risk engaging distmguished musicians for concerts in Waterbury. Under 
the club's auspices, the Kneisel Quartet, the Mannes Quartet and several recital 
givers made excellent music to such good audiences that the fund was scarcely 
touched, Tlie newly formed Music League then absorbed the Camelot Club, 
borrowed its plan and began to apply it on a larger scale. 

The Waterbury Oratorio .Society promptly voted to co-operate in building Uji 
the Music League, and named as a committee Messrs. C. B. Churchill, Isaac P. 
Kellogg, Charles P. Mitchell, R. .\. Laslett Smith, J. Edward Keegan, H. H. 
Romer, and George E. Boyd. 

On December 14, 1906, the Waterluiry Oratorio Society gave "The Messiah " 
with Richard T. Percy, directing. The soloists on this occasion were Mrs. Caroline 
Mihr-Hardy, soprano; Adele Laeis Baldwin, contralto; Frank IT. Ormsby, tenor; 
and Ericsson F. Bushnell. bass. The symphony orchestra of forty-five took part 
in the concert. 

On May 13 and May 14. 1017, the Waterbury Oratorio Society ga\c its notable 



30n W'ATERBURV AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

-May musical festi\al with a program that provided for two rehearsals and three 
concerts. Damrosch's New York Symphony orchestra was engaged for the 
festival with Maud Powell, Madame Charlotte ]\Laconda, Isabelle Bouton. Ellison 
\"an 1 loose, Gwilym Miles, and Frederick C. Weld, as soloists. The first rehearsal 
took place Monday afternoon, May 13th. The first concert took place Monday 
evening, with a Wagner program and with Maud Powell and Ellison Van Hoose 
as soloists. The second rehearsal took place Tuesday morning. The second 
concert took place Tuesday afternoon, with a Symphony program and Maconda 
as the soloist. Tuesday evening the Waterbury Oratorio Society, assisted by the 
IXimrosch orchestra, gave the oratorio "Samson and Delilah" with Isabelle Bouton, 
Charlotte Maconda, Ellison Van Hoose and Frederick C. Weld as soloists. 

This was perhaps the most pretentious musical affair ever held in Waterbury. 
While it was a tremendous artistic success, the Music Leagite was called upon 
to make up a considerable deficit. 

The Waterbury Oratorio Society gave a notable concert on January 9, 1910, 
with an orchestra of fifty, George E. Boyd conducting. The soloists were Miss 
Laura Louise Combs, I\lrs. Robert Spencer Mav, Dr. Franklin Lawson, and 
Willard Flint. 

The Waterbury Choral Club, a mixed chorus with 125 voices, is in 191 7 the 
leading musical organization of Waterbury. It is the outgrowth of the former 
Trinity Church Choir which closed its career in T913, when Trinity changed to 
a boys' choir. Isaac B. Clark, who was nausical director of the Trinity Choir, 
became leader of the Choral Club and it is now in its fourth year. In 1914 it 
gave a single concert, singing Grieg's "Christoforus." Its soloists were: John 
Barnes Wells, Mrs. Clara Oakes Usher, Mrs. Isaac B. Clark, and Rollin P. Clarke. 

In 1915 at its January concert, it sang "The Messiah" with an orchestra of 
forty pieces recruited from New York, Hartford, Waterbury, and Bridgeport. 
The soloists were John Barnes Wells and Edgar Schofield of New York, Clara 
Oakes Usher and Miss Edith Aab. At its April concert in i()i5 the soloist wa.s 
Arthur Middleton, of the Metropolitan Opera. 

In 1916 the Choral Club gave the oratorio "Elijah" with Miss Rhea Massicotte, 
of Meriden, as soprano, Robert Maitland of Covent Garden, London, as baritone. 
Miss Abbott of New York, alto, and Paul Althouse, of the Metropolitan Opera, 
tenor. The orchestra of forty-five pieces was again recruited from New York. 
Hartford, Waterbury, and Bridgeport. At the miscellaneous concert in 1916, 
Henry Dunn of Waterbury was the piano soloist, and Althouse, of New York, 
the tenor. 

The Choral Club is now^ preparing to produce tiie oratorio "St. Paul" in 
January, 1918. 

The capable accompanist of the club is Miss Eunice Broughton. 

The Waterbury Choral Club is Unit No. 2 of the Liberty Chorus of Con- 
necticut, and Mr. Clark hopes to have i.ooo voices trained when the first call for 
])atriotic singing comes from headquarters. 

The Masonic Choir, ranging from forty to fifty voices, is now in its eighth 
year. It was in charge of Isaac B. Clark as musical director shortly after its 
organization. For three years it was under the musical direction of Arthur H. 
Turner, and is now again under the direction of Mr. Clark. It gives one annual 
concert in May and tours the state. Its soloists at the last May concert were 
Lambert Murphy and Leonora Sparks. 

Its most notable concert was that given January 27. 1914. at the opening of 
Temple Hall. Alma Gluck was the soloist. Arthur H. Turner conducted, George 
E. Boyd was at the organ, and Ralph E. Douglass was accompanist. 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY ;J()1 

Of other musical organizations the Swedish singiny- society which has been 
giving concerts for some years, is worthy of mention. Its work is always excellent. 

The same may be said of the Lyra Society, a Lirrnian singing organization, of 
which Director Keller has charge. 

The Waterbury German singing societies, particularly the Concordia and 
Lyra, have always taken an active part in the Connecticut Saengerfests. Twelve 
years ago this was held in Waterbury and the Concordia as usual won medals for 
excellence. 

Waterbury has reason to be particularly proud of its bands, 'i'he most im- 
portant of these is that conducted by Bert L. Fulton. This organization founded 
by James M. Fulton, now of Boston, was formerly the American Band, then 
became Fulton's American Band, and last year enlisted in the Home Guard. It 
is now known as the Fifth Regiment Home Guard Band. There are also the 
Boys' Club Band, DiVito's orchestra and band and Wolfif's orchestra, all of which 
are competent musical organizations. 

Waterbury has an opportunity, through Paul Prentzel, local impresario, to 
hear all of the world's greatest musicians. In the last decade there has not been 
a year in which some of the best of the country's singers and instrumentalists 
on concert tour have not come to Waterbury. 

On Xu\emlier i.^. |i)i^ Air. I'rcntzel had Is/itlilren I'.uiliiw. the \iiilini-l, in 
Waterbury, fiillcjwing im January _'i i. 11)14. willi I l.iroM I'.aner. pianist and 
Madame Hudson Alexander, soprano. On JMarcli 3. 1914. Jan Kubelik was his 
attraction. The remainder of his 1914 musical ])rogram included Anna Case, 
.\rrigo Serato, Carl Friedberg, Felice Lyne, with the New ^'llrk Svniphonv 
orchestra, Maggie Teyte, Mark Hambourg, and Edmund Burke. 

In 1915 he began the year with Marcella Sembrich and followed with b'ritz 
Kreisler, Pasquale Amato, Olive Kline, Josef Hofmann, Misch;i ]'21man. Then 
in order since 1915 he has brought here Josef Stransky and Julia Culp with 
the New York Philharmonic orchestra, Madame Schumann-Heink, Alma Gluck, 
Ysaye, Boston Symphony orchestra, Maria Barrientos, Zimbalist, .Sophie Breslau, 
Elena Gerhardt, Martinelli. Percy Grainger, the Metropolitan < )]iera orchestra with 
Leon Rothier, Mabel Garrison and Giuseppe De Luca. 

On March 3, 1916, C. Z. Sparadowski brought Paderewski to Waterl>ur\-. He 
played at Buckingham Music Hall to a packed house. 

THEATERS AND AMATEUR DRAMATICS 

During the past twenty-tlve years Waterbury, like all American cities, has 
witnessed the many transformations which mark the history of the theater in 
the LInited States. In 1893, the beginning of this period, the drama was in the 
ascendant, and Waterbury with its new Jacques Opera House, opened November 
I, 1886, and the old city hall which had done service since the Theodore Thomas 
orchestra had opened its hall on October 26, 1869, saw practically all of the great 
stars and successful plays of the day. It was the height of the traveling company 
period. There was running at this time also the old rink on the site of the 
liuckinghani Building. This had been operated for some years as a theater, its 
name in 1893 having been changed from "The Casino" to the "People's Theater." 
In this place of amusement Denman Thompson is said to have given the first 
performance of "The Old Llomestead." Margaret Mather also played there. 
But in 1893 it was relegated to the cheaper class of entertainments. 

Waterbury owes much to the enterprise of its earliest theater manager, Eugene 
Leslie Jacques. He was born in Plymouth April 30, 1855, was educated in the 



302 WATKRP.URY AND THE NAUGATL'CK \'ALI.EY 

Watcrbury schools, and gave this, his home town, all the energy and brains that 
made for success in a theatrical way. Eugene Jacques died December 4, 1905. 

At facques' Theater, until the opening of its first real opposition, Poli's Theater 
December 13, i<^97. all of the great artists of the day apjjeared. The list included 
Edwin I'.ooth, Ezra Kendall, Richard Golden. Marion .Manola and Jack Mason, 
May Irwin, Modjeska, Bernhardt, Barrett, Ada Rehan, the Daly musical suc- 
cesses, Kyrle liellew, and Mrs. James Brown I'otter, Fay Templeton, Louis James. 
-Marie W'ainwright, James O'Neil, Fanny Davenport. Melbourne McDowell, Neil 
Burgess, Robert Mantell, James .\. Hcrne, and all that host of great players who 
made that period illustrious. 

The old city hall, after the building of Jacques, was used largely by local 
dram.-itic societies although some excellent professional attractions continued to 
ap])ear there for many years. 

In both the Imilding of the old rink and in the construction of the new 
[acques, luigene Jacques had as partner. Arthur 11. Fenn, now the well-known 
golf professional at Poland Springs and Palm Beach. In these days Fenn was a 
professional fancy skater. The old rink even as the People's Theater, failed to 
I)ay after the roller skating and polo craze died out. Henry Pincus later turned 
it into a summer garden, with a Hungarian orchestra. It was in its last years 
given over to chea]) attractions, medicine shows and the like, tinally coming into 
possession of .\lr. \\ hittemore who tore it down to make way for Buckingham 
Music Hall. 

In 1891 Mr. Jacques built the Auditorium On South Main Street. This, with 
its hard maple fioor, 5,000 square feet of dancing floor, a good stage and all 
necessary accessory rooms, was at once in demand for large gatherings and big 
local fairs, bazaars and prize fights. Gen. William Booth, head of the Salvation 
Army, spoke in this place, to an immense gathering October 29. 1894. 

For a time it was used by the David M. Hartford Stock Company, but this 
venture was not successful. It is now a picture house, and is still used for 
conventions, auto shows, fairs, and other such affairs. It was in the .Auditorium 
that Terry McGovern, then managed b\- Sam Harris of Cohan & Harris, fought 
his first big fight. 

In the early '90s, Sylvester Z. Poli, who had for some time run a .successful 
vaudeville theater in New Haven, looked around for new openings in his line. 
Mr. Poli had been a sculptor in his younger days, and finally made some of the 
wonderful wax figures at the Eden Musee in New York. From this he drifted 
into the theatrical business, and now owns theaters all over New England. After 
New Haven, Waterbury was his first new field. In 1896 John Moriarty bought 
the East Main Street property of the American Pin Company and the Blake & 
Johnson Company, both concerns having moved into new plants at Waterville. 
The greater ])art of it was remodeled for a furniture store. The remainder of 
the s])ace was used for the construction of Poli's theater. There had been com- 
plaint by some of the traveling companies that the Jacques stage was not large 
enough for big productions. It was therefore decided to make the stage one of 
the largest in the country and to provide seating accommodations for at least 
one thousand two hundred. With its magnificent furnishings, its beautiful system 
of lighting, its advantageous location, Poli's at once assumed its place as the lead- 
ing theater of Waterbury. The attraction on the opening day, December 15. 
1897. was Francis Wilson in "Half a King." 

The competition between Poli's and Jacques' became keen, both houses suffer- 
ing financially. This continued for two years, when the two theater managers. 
Eugene Jacques and Sylvester Z. Poli, got together and formed a partnership. 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY :!o;j 

which continued until the death of Euger.e Jacques. During these years Mr. 
Jacques managed both theaters, 'i'here was another factor that entered into the 
settlement of the local theatrical tight and that was the Waterbury Ijill-jxisting 
privilege which was owned by Eugene Jacques. It was rhe lack of this \ery 
necessary means of advertising that finally brought Air. Poli to terms. 

I'oli's was now used for high class attractions and Jacques for "ten twenty- 
thirty" melodrama, presenting such plays as "Streets of New \'ork." "."Shadows 

of a Great City," "The (jreat -Metroiiolis, Hie Lights of London." In 1902 

Jacques' became a vaudeville house and ran successfully for several sc.isons. 
Then a summer stock company was formed with Earle Simmons as tin- leailing 
man and stock finally crowded out vaudeville. There was a popular cr.azc f in- 
stock and Simmons, Ernestine Morlcy, David AI. Hartford, James De\ ine and 
others of the principal actors, had many admirers. 

The stars of tlie period from 1900 to 1910, when the "mo\ie" cr.i/.c w.is 
completing its work of transforming the dramatic world, all appeared at Poll's. 
These comprised among many others, the Empire Theater Stock Com]Kuiv plays, 
all the Frohman attractions, Richard Manslneld, h'orbes Roliertson. J'.. .S. W'illard, 
Maude Adams, Lwing and Terry. Rhea. lUrnhardl in "C'aniillr" lanu.'irv 4. I'H 1, 
and others as famous. 

After the deatli of Eugene Jacques in 11)05. .Mr. I'nli tueik o\vv the lea>e of 
Jacques Theater, still running it as a slock house, Iml .after a time sold his interest 
to P. E. .Shea. Mr. Shea undertnok to ]ilay high class attractions, but the penjile 
who patronize these plays did not come in paying numbers. He tried burlesciue 
three nights a week and li.ght ojjera three nights. This also failed ti) gii. lie 
gave up his lease, and Michael K. Keeley, who was administrator for the est.ate 
of Eugene Jacques, together withT. I'rank Hayes, of the T. H. Hayes ('om]>an\. 
took over the building and engaged J.anies Clancy, .an experienced theatrical man, 
to come from Rochester to Waterbury .and run Jactpies Theater. .Mr. Clancv 
had managed it before as a \ ;uiile\ ille .and stock house. He at once put in 
burlesque and the theater is jilaying almost to capacity ].)racticall_\' e\ery nigbl. 

Five years ago PoU's Theater, like all others of the larger theaters in the 
United States, accepted the ine\it,ible and changed to a successful popular jirice'l 
vaudeville theater, with a popular summer slock cnni[)any to fill in between 
seasons. Harr_y E. Parsons was local manager until 1017, when he took charge 
of the financial end of all the Poli theaters. \\ alter (irifiiths now manages the 
theater. High-class attractions are booked from time to time. 

Up to about 1910 moving pictures were merely an interlude in theatricals, 
being shown between the acts at vaudcAille and stock performances. Then the 
era of "store shows'' began, siuall moving picture houses being started in vacant 
stores and showing for a 5-cent admission fee. ChotzranofT Brothers built the 
Garden Theater at this time and leased it to Poli, who operated it as the first 
regular moving picture theater. It had a seating capacity of 500 and a real 
attempt was made to put the "nii)\ie" nn a higher jjlane. Carl F. Cha])in was 
the first man in \\'aterl:)urv with the \ision to see the present possiliilities of the 
new form of entertainment and in 1910 he made an arrangement with I'nli to 
manage the Garden for awhile. Mr. Cha])in raised both the standard of the 
pictures shown and the admission fee, but the experiment was made a year or 
two ahead of the proper tinie and did not succeed. The ("larden is nnw dwned 
by Judge Edw'ard F. Cole. 

Meantime the success of the small "store shows" turned many active business 
men into moving picture house proprietors, \^'ithin a year or tw<i there were 
built the Carroll on North Square, the Colonial on .South Alain Street, the Scenic 



304 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

on Bank Street, the Star on Baldwin Street, the Eden in Brooklyn and a number 
of others, Patrick H. Carroll, Benedict E. Hausdorfif, Robert Molzon, John L. 
Fernandez being among the pioneers of the moving picture movement. There 
were frequent changes of management and interest, too bewildering to follow 

In 1913 John J. O'Neil built the Strand Theater, which was first leased to 
William Fox of the Fox Enterprise Company, and operated as a vaudeville house. 
The first season was' not successful and Marcus Loew added it to his string of 
theaters in 1914. In 1915 it was taken over by Mr. I'oli and is now run as a very 
successful "movie" house. 

The Princess on Center Street, a beautiful, cosy theater, was opened in 
June, 1913, by a local company of which Otis S. Cowles is treasurer and C. L. 
Martin manager, and is now giving "first run" attractions. Its capacity is 500. 
The building was reconstructed in five weeks' time and was opened with "The 
Pilgrim's Progress." 

The Rialto, opened in the I'oli Theater Block on East Main Street in October, 
1917, is the most ambitious moving picture theater yet opened in VVaterburj'. 
The cost of reconstruction, furnishing and equipment, including a large pipe 
organ, was announced at $90,000. The seating capacity is 1,400. J. F. Nichols 
is the manager. 

.•\M.\TEUR TIIE.XTRIC.ALS 

Waterbury has been particularly interested in amateur theatricals. Its younger 
sets frorfi generation to generation have shown unusual talents and have had 
each in turn the advantages of excellent training. Prof. Francis T. Russell, D. D., 
who was for years at the head of St. Margaret's School, was a remarkable 
teacher of elocution. The performance by local talent of "The School for Scan- 
dal" on May 22 and 23, 1896, under his direction, is still remembered as an 
exceptionally meritorious performance. This was given at Jacques Opera House 
and among those who took important parts in the production were Lewis A. 
Piatt, who was the Sir Peter Teazle, John H. Goss, who was Lady Sneerwell's 
servant, Medora H. Piatt, now Mrs. Walter Hamlin Holmes, who was a remark- 
able Lady Teazle, C. Sanford Bull, Isaac P. Kellogg, Archer O. Hitchcock, 
Harold R. Durant, G. Middleton Parsons, Pierson J. Cumming. Albert M. Bur- 
rett, 2d, Charles F. Mitchell, Miss Emily M. Plume, Mrs. John P. Kellogg, Miss 
Alma J. Scott, Miss Elsie Shaw. Mrs. Holmes showed promise of ranking with 
the best professionals of the day if she had elected to take to a stage life. 

Among the most notable of the dramatic societies of the early years of this 
quarter century was the Acme Dramatic Club, which in 1893 and 1894 was under 
the training of E. L. Maloney, and in 1894, 1895. 1896, 1897 and 1898 under the 
supervision of Thomas D. Freney, to whom Waterbury is indebted for many of 
the best amateur performances of the past two decades. In 1899 the Acme 
Dramatic Club's performance of "May Blossom" was under the direction of 
Dr. J. L. Moriarty. 

"Colleen Bawn" was the play given in 1893 with T. F. Carmody, E. L. 
Maloney, F. P. Becton, J. R. Freney, Mrs. J. L. Moriarty, Mrs. T. J. Kilmartin. 
Miss Lou Donahue in leading parts'. W. J. Hughes and E. L. Tuttle furnished 
the musical part of the performance. In 1894 "Under Two Flags" was given and 
Dennis J. Slaviii, then a judge in embryo, Peter Fox, Miss Josie Egan, Mrs. J. E. 
Smith, the Misses Murphy and Garde, joined the society. "Clouds" was given 
in 1895, "My Geraldine" in 1896, "Fair Rebel" in 1897. "Shenandoah" in 1898. 
Dr. John D. Freney, William T. Smith, Rev. William Fox, and Miss Rose Mc- 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY ;!05 

Donald appeared in many of these plays, in addition to those mentioned above. 
The plays were presented to begin with at the (Jity Hall, later at Jacques' and at 
Poll's in 1898 and 1899. 

Company G Dramatic Club in nioi gave an excellent performance of "The 
Girl I Left Behind Me" under the direction of Thomas D. Freney. In this the 
leading people were : Oscar Race, Thomas F. Devine, Edward F. Callahan, Dr. 
John D. Freney. Frank J. Kelley, Michael Peters, George T. Jackson, Robert F. 
Robins, Walter J. Costello, Mrs. Grace A. Cross, Mrs. Louis M. Donahue, and 
the Misses Margaret C. Dillon and Jennie A. Freney. 

The Elks Minstrels made a decided hit when they first appeared at the City 
Hall in iSgii. In 1899 and 1901 they again appeared. In 1908, under the musical 
direction of Laslette Smith and in 1910 under the musical direction of James 
Fulton, their performances were up to professional standards. In i<)ii. under 
Mr. Freney 's direction the Elks gave a successful production of "McKenna's 
Mirtation." 

Among the Elks who took ])an in these delightful performance^ were: W'il- 
liam Fogarty. John !■'. llackelt, I apt. W ni. J. Shanahan. Lewis M Holland, 
Thomas Cannon, Aclv W . Castle, lohn II. Cassidv, Leo Race, |. M. D.alv. Robert 
T. Bailey, Ray r.olgeV. Jack F. Burke. 

The Talma Club Minstrels had their days in 1904, 1905. i9<J(> and 11P7. 
These performances were under the direction of Thomas D. Freney and J. Albert 
Brown. The 1907 performance was in charge of Mr. Freney and Laslette Smith. 
Among the principals in these performances were: Doctor Moriarty. Martin J. 
McEvoy, Tohn H. Cassidv, Joseph T^. Kennedy, Dr. J. D. !">eney. William J. 
Shanahan, J. M. Daly, Carrington ( iretter, b"r;uik T. Clark. 1 )aniel [•. Lawlor, 
William J. Smith. 

Among the best perfornKince> of the ji.ast have been those gi\en by -St. Mary's 
Hospital Aid Society. In 1912 the "Mikado'' and in 1913 "Said I'asha" were 
given under the direction of Messrs. Freney and Fulton; in 11)13 "The Mascotte" 
was given under the direction of T. D. Freney and Isaac B. Clark. In 11(16 Mr. 
Freney 's own delightful comedy. "O'Toole's Busv Day," was presented. The 
society is still active and hopes to resume its productions after the war. 

Among the men and women who had leading parts in these plays were Dr. 
J. L. Moriarty, W. J. Shanahan, Cliffe Carter, John F. Hackett, Wm. P'ogarty, 
Mrs. Thomas McElligott. Miss May Longwnrth, Miss Myrtle Blacknian. Dr. J. 
i). b'reney, Edward Fay, and Miss Winifred Sheridan. 

A notable amateur performance given under professional direction was "The 
Merry Geisha," given April 23 and 24, ir)o8, for the benefit of the Boys' Club. 
In this the following local people starred ; R. T. Bailey, F. Zulette Wilson, 
Merritt Tompkins. Mrs. Warren F. Trotl, .Miss Clara Dibble, Mrs. Claude M. 
Calvert, and Miss Lillie Haynes. 

Two notable amateur performances nf ".Mice in W finderland" were given for 
the benefit of local institutions on I'ebruary i(>, 1901. and December 4. hjckj. 

St. Joseph's Dramatic Club did Udtable work along these lines. In iS^j^. 
under the direction of Mr. Freney .and J. J. McDonald, the club gave at Jacques' 
a performance of "Ten Nights in a Uar Room." In 1895 ''^"d 1896 with E. L. 
Maloney as director, it produced "Cast ui)on the World," "Bound by an ( )ath." 
In 1898, under E. L. Maloney's direction, it gave "The Celebrated Case," and in 
1899 "Across the Potomac." 

The Dramatic Club of Waterbury on April 2/. 1910, gave a memorable per- 
formance of "Arms and the Man." On the program after the style of the day 
appear the names of the performers as follows; Miss Mason, Miss Frisbie, Miss 
Smith, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Brvan, .Mr. Hitchcock, Mr. Hart. Mr. Ilolcomb. 



306 W'ATERIIURY AND THE XAUliATL'CK \'ALLEY 

"The Chimes of Xorniandy," given al Poll's November 5, lyoy, by St. Cecilia's 
Church choir under the direction of Mr. Fulton, was a really commendable 
musical production. So were the performances by the Daughters of Isabella of 
"The Mocking Bird" in 1909, "The Geisha" in T910 and "The Country Girl" in 
1912, 

The College Club, organized in 191 2 by resident women graduates of uni- 
versities, has done some good work in amateur dramatics. Its best performance 
was "The Honeymoon," Arnold Bennett's comedy, given with the following in 
the cast: Miss Louise Holden, Mrs. F. A. Scott, Mrs. C. P. Rodenbach, Mrs. 
W. H. Pierce, Mrs. J. C. Bradley, Mrs. A. D. Mcintosh, Miss .Marguerite Jones, 
Miss Dorothy Hart. 

The Crosby High School plays have always been happy aiifairs. In recent 
years the students have given "What Happened to Jones," "In Chancery," both 
at Poll's "The Bluffers" in 1914 at Jacques' "Liberty Hall" in 1915 and in 1916, 
at Temple Hall, "Shakespeare, a Mask," the very able work of Michael C. 
Donovan, now principal of the school. 

The French Dramatic Club, an adjunct of St. Ann's Church, has given several 
excellent productions, notably a French version of "Friend Fritz." 

There have also been excellent productions at Leavenworth Hall under the 
auspices of the Young Woman's Friendly League. 

These are the principal amateur performances of the period. The editor is 
indebted to Thomas D. Freney for much of the material. 



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Till-: AMKKK AX — A si:i(ix!) ,-,\i.i; WITHIN .\ ^l..\K — R.MMU I iKdWT 11 MI. Till-; rAri;i't 
— IS .Mn\T-:i) ixTit nsiiux r.rii.Dixc — Mdin-.KX i:< jtii'M i-:xt — I'di.KA \im'R(i\t:d 
i;"!' niK 1M.-KLIL — ixcnRRiiR.MT.i} — i'Ri:si;xT (iFMi i.M.s — \vi-;i:klii::s .vxd .xkixtu- 
i.Ti-is. I'.NST .\xi) 1'Ri:si:x t. 

Tin', w \ti;ri;ir\- \.\n:Ki( ax 

The hrst number vi the W'attrbury American, issued 1 )ecemher 14. 1844, 
by Josiah Giles was the beginning- of the tnwn'.s newspaper lii>t(ir\-. In 1877, 
after a long and interesting history which is fully narrated in 1 )oct(ir .Xnderson's 
llistory, the present owners of the i)aper secured cnntrol. .Xmong its stock- 
holders were .\. S. Chase, who became president, t . K. r.,il(h\in, Charles F. 
Pope, Charles S. Treadway, IT S. Chase and C. 1'". Cliapin. In 1S7S (.'. ]■' . Chapin 
became its editor. In 1889 C. R. lialdwin and in iSijj Charles S. Treadwav retired 
from the directorate and in 1803 the following were the ()ftic<is of the company: 
A. S. Chase, president, H. S. Chase, treasurer and manager, and ( . h". (_'ha]iin, 
secretary and editor. 

Arthur R. Kimball became associate edilur in iSSi, succeeding to the position 
of general manager and pul>lisher in I'^ioj, 

In August, 1892, on the death of John .^. Deacon, the position of .advertising 
manager was assumed by Charles H. Keach. who later became business manager. 
From this position he retired in iifH'- Rurt C. I'ike became advertising manager 
in 1916. 

On December 14, 1894, the paper pulilished a special edition in honor of its 
hftieth anniversary. 

In 1894 the company began the construction (jf its present Iniilding on < irand 
.Street, occupying the structure in 1895. At this time it was equijiped with a 
Potter press, linotypes, and coinplete stereotyping otittit. 

In the fire of 1902 the walls of the building remained standing, although the 
interior was heavily damaged by both flames and water. When the work of 
renovation and reconstruction w.as completed, the |)ress was foiuid to be in 
excellent working condition. 

On June 7, 1896, .Augustus ."s. Chase. ])resident of the comiiany, died in Paris 
and was succeeded in the ofifice by his son, ITenry S. Chase. 

TII1-: w■.\Tl•:Rl:^R^' df..M(icr.\t 

The W'aterbury Democrat had been launched as a weekly in Jul). iXSi. then 
changed to The Sunday Democrat on January 7. 188(1. and on December 5. 1887. 

307 



308 \\ATI:RI',1-RV WD TIIK \.\r(iATL-CK NAI.f.l'A' 

it appeared as an e\ening paper under the name The Evening Democrat. The 
success of the paper, both as a vveekl)' and as a daily, was due in its earlier years 
to the energy and progressiveness of its founder, Cornelius ^laloney, who in 
1882 had associated with him his brother. M. T. Maloney. Roth had learned 
the printing and the entire newspaper making Inisiness in Xew l'>ritain, from which 
place they came to VVaterbury. 

Its business manager when it clianged to a daily was Edward E. F. McMahon, 
who remained in that responsible position until 1915, when he resigned on account 
of ill health. He was succeeded l)y his assistant, John .\. Haydcn, who is also 
secretar)' of the corporation. 

Cornelius Maloney died January 5, KJ14, and his son. E. \'inceiit Maloney. 
is now in editorial charge of the paper. ^^Ir. Maloney is a graduate of Holy Cross 
College, Worcester, from which in 191 1 he came direct to the editorial department 
of the Democrat. He has held all minor editorial positions on the paper and came 
to his task well equipped with newspaper experience and a thorough knowledge 
oi his community. 

The paper was printed up to 1895 '" ^'"-' building at 267 South Main Street. 

In that year it erected its own building at 71-73 Grand Street. This it occu- 
pied until 1916 when it dedicated its splendid new five-story block at 53-55 Grand 
Street. In this it has installed a thirty-two page straight-line Goss ciuad, one of 
the finest newspaper printing presses made. In the former building its press was 
a twenty-page three-decker Goss. 

The policy of the paper has always been of a loyal and jirogressive nature. 
It stands firmly by the President in the present great crisis, has espoused with 
energy and helpfulness all the financial "war drives." and has made patriotism 
a basic principle in the conduct of its paper. 

The Democrat was incorporated on March 23. 1914, for $75,000. Its president 
is E. Vincent Maloney ; secretary, John A. Hayden. 

TIIK WATERBTRV RErURI.rCAX 

On Alarch i, iXtp. on the retirement of John 11. Morrow, the Waterbury 
Republican which he had founded in 1881 as a weekly and in 1884 as a daily, 
was purchased by the American Printing Company and published from its plant 
on Grand Street. The building then occupied by the Republican, destroyed in 
the fire of 1902, was just east of the American building. Its editor was Thomas 
Dudley Wells, who had for some years been an associate editor under Mr. Morrow. 
Frank T. Parsons, who had previously been in charge of the American's mechan- 
ical department and prior to that on the Sijringfield Repul)lican. was made business 
manager of the Republican. 

In 1898, on the outbreak of the Spanish-. \merican War. Mr. Parsons began 
issuing a well-edited and newsy Sunda)' edition which, however, did not aid in 
putting the paper on a paying basis. The Rei^ublican was considered a subsidiary 
of the .\merican, and as the policies were similar, there was no great tendency 
on the part of the public to take both papers. 

On March i, 1901, the paper, with its Associated I'ress franchise and its files, 
was sold to Francis Atwater. publisher of the Meriden, Conn.. Journal, who 
moved it to the corner of Center and Leavenworth Streets. There he installed 
an eight-page Campbell press and two linoty]ie machines, the outfit of his defunct 
Xew liritain Dispatch, and waited for purchasers. 

. In October, 1901, Mr. .\twater sold the outfit to William M. Lathrop and 
William J. Pape. -Mr. Lathrop came here from \\'illiamsport, Pa., where he had 



WATERBURV AND THE NAL:GATI;CIv \ ALLFA" 3U'J 

been managing editor of Grit. Prior to that he had been employed on the Car- 
bondale, Pa., Leader, his father's paper, and on the Paterson, X. I.. Press. He 
was a thoroughly trained and excellent all-around newspaperman. 

William J. Pape had been city editor, business manager and eilitor of the 
Passaic, N. J., News. He had been the correspondent in this imi^jrlant lield for 
the New York World and the New York Tribune. 

For four months it was a struggle to keep the spark alive, but a vigorous and 
fearless editorial policy and news columns amplified by direct receipt of the Asso- 
ciated Press news on a wire put into the Repulilican office, and up-to-date local 
news. l)rightened and strengthened the paper. 

In February, 1902, the great lire which crippled the American was an ill- 
wind that blew some good toward the Republican. It gave it an opportunity to 
acquaint a larger public with its policy and its clean, bright news columns. Un 
February 3, the morning of the tire, the Republican sold 13,000 copies. The result 
was that its circulation took a permanent leap from 2,000 daily to 3,200 and over. 

On October i, )<p2, the paper was getting so strongly entrenched that enlarge- 
ment was decided upon. It was incorporated on that date, as The \\'aterbury Re- 
publican Inc., with a capital of $30,000. Mr. Lathrop and Mr. Pape retained 
control and moved the editorial and newly equipped mechanical department to 
the Schlegel Building, on Printers' Court, the business office locating at 47 Center 
Street. The new equipment consisted of a sixteen-page Scott press and one new 
linotype, giving it a battery of three of these machines. 

In 1903 the Trolley strike found the Republican firmly entrenched on the side 
of law and order and its firm stand, its determination to keep the American flag 
flying in Waterbury, gave it a second great stride in circulation. It was becoming 
more and more clear to the people that the Republican h,id no axes to grind, 
save those that meant a better and a cleaner Waterbur\-. 

This period added another 2,500 to the jiermanent circulation of the paper. 
W'hile it was not making much money during these early years, it never lost money. 

In October, 1906, it began the issue of its Sunday edition. The field was 
unique, to say the least. There were two Sunday papers of a peculiar kind that 
reflected no credit either on the town or on their readers. 

The Sunday Republican was in policy and contents like its daily issues, clean 
and virile. It was not a paper that one needed to be ashamed of. The result 
was an instantaneous success. The Sunday Telegram, which had prospered along 
its peculiar lines, was put out of business within eighteen months. The lierald 
took the cue and had a house-cleaning of its columns. Fonr attempts to start 
scurrilous Sunday papers since then have all failed. 

In November, 1907, the Republican leased and moved into its jjrescnt location 
on Grand Street, the building put up for it by T. F. Jackson. 

In 1910 Mr. Lathrop sold his interest to Mr. Pape and mo\ed to California, 
where he is now located. 

In 191 1 the paper had grown sufficiently to warrant the installation of a new 
thirty-six-page Hoe press, the finest printing machine ever used in Waterbury. 
Another linotype made it a battery of four of these machines. In 19 17, with the 
third plant installed in sixteen years, there is not in the entire business a stick of 
the original outfit bought from Mr. Atwater. Its mechanical equipment now con- 
sists of its fine new Hoe press, six linotypes, including two Model os and one 
Model 8, a monotype machine, which casts much of its advertising display type. 
a Hoe plate finishing machine, and every one of these machines driven by an 
individual motor. 

In February, 1917, the Republican bought the building it now occupies. 



310 WATF.RBURY AND THE XAUGATL'CK VALLEY 

It lias been unswerving in its support of the President during the war period,- 
has espoused and is espousing with all the energy and wisdom at its command 
every cause that benetits city, state or nation. It Fias opened its columns to all 
the publicity needed by those in charge of the Liberty Loans, the Red Cross 
work, the Tobacco funds and all activities of a like nature. 

Its local policy remains unchanged. It stands for the best possible government 
and for the cleanest possible city. 

THE WEEKT.^- .\ND .MONTH f.V PRESS 

In I.SQ3 in addition to the daily pajjcrs there were in existence in W'aterbury 
live weeklies and one bi-monthly, the latter the National Guardsman, edited by 
A. C. Northrop. The Examiner was a small weekly, a branch of the Hartford 
Examiner, and was edited here in that year by M. J. P.rzezinski. The Sunday 
Globe was run by Cornelius Downey and the Sunday Herald, incorporated April 
7, 1888, by F. R. Swift. There was also the \^'illey Catholic published by Rev. 
Farrell Martin at 108 Rank Street and the Neue Zeitung, a German weekly owned 
by H. Loether and published at ig School Street. 

By 1895 both the Valley Catholic and the National Guardsman had joined 
the "journalistic" great majority and in i8g6 there were two new recruits. Our 
Church Review, published at 36 North Main Street by the Press Review Publish- 
ing Company, and The Waterbury, which continued not much more than a year. 
In i8c)8 there were left only the Examiner, the Sunday (Hobe. the Sunday Herald 
and the Neue Zeitung with ownership unchanged. 

In i8<)<) there came the first evidence of the growing foreign population in the 
iniblication of II Patriote. which was in fact a branch in Italian of the Hartford 
Examiner. This lasted less than a year. 

In IQOO there was a decided change in the newspaper field. The first new 
departure was the entrance of the Sunday Globe into the evening field with the 
title The Evening Globe. Its editors were John J. Splain and Henry O. Sullivan. 
It was published at ii>< Grand Street. C. J. Sawdey was its manager. It had an 
existence of less than a year. 

In that year N. L. Nadeau began the iniblication of his French weekly Le Con- 
necticut at 36 North Main Street, which lasted not much over a year. There 
appeared also in this year the Boebachter, a German weekly, taking the place 
of Loether's Neue Zeitung and under the ownership and editorshi]) of its present 
executive. Max Taschenberger. It is published at 209 P.ank Street. These, 
with the Herald and Examiner, formed the weekly publications in existence in 
that year. 

In 1903 the only addition was La Tril)una di Waterlniry, published at 154 East 
Main Street. 

In icp5 Le Franco-America, with Jean dc Xiccjas editor, was published for 
less than a year at 199 P.ank Street. F. R. Swift still ran the Waterbury Herald 
and C. J. Sawdey had started the Sunday Telegram. The F:xaniiner became the 
liroperty of P.. Witkowski and was published at 43 East Main Street. 

By 1908 the Examiner and Telegram had disappeared, and in that year Giro 
P. Lanza began his Progresso del Connecticut, changing its title in 1910 to II Pro- 
gresso del New Engtand, published at 59 Grand Street. 

The Sign of the Cross, a religious monthly, was i)ublished by Rev. J. A. 
Slansficld at 644 Thomaston Avenue during igcx) and 1910. 

The newcomer in 1912 was the Waterbury Sunday Times, jiublishcd by John 
n. Curlcv, but which existed less than a year. 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATL^CK VALLEY 311 

La Verita, published first at 35 Center and later at 199 Bank Street, was the 
only addition in 1913, and this is still in existence under the editorship of Frank 
DeFeo. 

The Waterbury Worker, a labor paper, was published at 108 Bank Street in 
1914 under the auspices of the Central Labor LTnion, but was discontinued after a 
few months. 

In 1916 the Waterbury Sunday Mail appeared for a brief existence. 

In 1917 the weeklies appearing are La Verita, the Italian publication; the Wa- 
terbury Herald, now a branch of the Bridgeport Herald and printed at Bridgeport ; 
the Beobachter, still edited by Max Taschenberger, its first editor; and II Pro- 
gresso del New F.ngland, still edited by Ciro P. Lanza. The Waterbury Herald 
Company was dissolved as a Waterbury corporation in 1905. 



CHAPTER XXVI 
WAR AND .MILITARY ACTRITIES 

VVATERBURY'.S share IX THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR — CITY PAYS TRIBUTE TO 
LIEUTENANT FRANK W. KELLOGG, ONE OF HEROES OF BATTLE OF MANILA BAY AND 

EIGHTY-TWO VETERANS OF WAR THE CALL TO ARMS IN I916 WATERBURY BOYS 

MOVE TO MEXICAN BORDER OVATION BY CITY ON RETURN DECLARATION OF WAR 

ON GERMANY FINDS WATERBURY IN MIDST OF RECRUITING CAMPAIGN THE 

NATIONAL GUAR1> GOES TO THE FRONT — THE DRAFT THE LIBERTY LOANS THE 

RED CROSS — WATERBURy's MANY PATRIOTIC EFFORTS TRIBUTE TO ROCHAMBEAU. 

When war was declared on Spain in 1898, Connecticut and Waterbury, notable 
among its cities, was not slow to respond to the call to arms. Previous to the 
actual declaration of war all state military organizations tendered their services 
to the President for any duty that might be required of them. Regiments were 
then called out according to seniority of colonels. The First Regiment was 
named under the first call for troops with Battery A, Light Artillery. Under the 
second call the Third Regiment resjwnded. Nine companies of the First were 
mustered in May 17, 1898, the remaining companies and batteries on the follow- 
ing day. 

The Second Regiment, which was then commanded by Col. Lucien F. Burpee, 
and which contained the Waterbury battalion of the National Guard, was held in 
readiness for service, and recruited to its full strength. While not called out 
officially, the companies devoted much time to drill and to field work. No 
Connecticut organizations were called into service in the Cuban campaign. 

Among those commissioned, however, as officers of volunteers was Colonel 
Burpee, who was appointed lieutenant-colonel and judge advocate of United 
States Volunteers. 

There were, however, a number of Waterbury men who volunteered and who 
saw active service in both Cuba and the Philippines with the regular army and in 
the navy both as officers and privates. 

On May i, 1898, the naval battle of Manila Bay was fought and on board the 
cruiser Baltimore, one of Dewey's fighting ships, was a Waterbury man, Lieut. 
Frank W. Kellogg, who was among the wounded on that fateful day. Lieutenant 
Kellogg retired as captain in 1914, but on November i, 1917, again responded to 
the call to duty and is now at the Charleston Navy Yard. 

Captain Kellogg is a brother of Judge John P. Kellogg of the Superior Court 
and of Mrs. Irving H. Chase, and a son of Gen. Stephen W. Kellogg, a former 
congressman from this state. He graduated from the United States Naval 
Academy in 1879, was with Rear Admiral Benham at Rio de Janerio during the 
Brazilian insurrection of 1894 and from 1897 to 1899 was stationed on the 
U. S. S. Baltimore, where he distinguished himself in the now world-famous 
naval engagement. 

Since then he has commanded the U. S. S. Indiana, the New Jersey, the 
Maine, has had many assignments to important land posts and was retired 
lune 30. 191 4. 

312 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALIJ-A' 3i:j 

On October 20, 18199, Lieutenant Kellogg returned t(j Waterbury to be the 
central tigure in one of the most notable civic and military celebrations ever 
held here. 

His Waterbin-y townsmen had arranged a jiarade and re\ iew and the formal 
presentation of a sword of honor to commemorate his participation in the battle 
of Manila Bay. Col. Lucien F. Burpee was marshal of the da\-. (iovernor 
Lounsbury and his staff honored the occasion by their presence. In the parade 
were all the military and civic societies of Waterbury. The reviewing stand was 
fashioned to resemble the outlines of the U. S. S. Baltimore. Mayor Thomas D. 
Barlow presented the sword. jN'Iedals were presented to eighty-two Waterbury 
veterans of the Spanish- American war who were on this day jointly honored 
with Lieutenant Kellogg. Some of them, including Seaman Sliea, who was 
at the battle of Manila, were not present. Frederick W. Shindler, a member of 
Battery M, Fifth United States Artillery and stationed at Tampa. Fla., and 
Private John B. Porter, who had been in Cuba, commanded these \eterans in 
the parade. 

A medal was also presented to Miss Cherrie M. I'^rench, Ked L'ross nurse, 
who had served at the front in Cuba. 

C)n June 18, 1916, when word came that the National < luard (if e\ery state in 
the Union had been ordered out by the President, for ser\ice on the Mexican 
border, the Waterbury soldiers made prompt response. Capt. Henry 1!. Carter 
of Company A, Capt. Roberts R. Hannegan of Company H. and Capt. J. W. 
Carroll of Company G, within a few hours had men and held equipment ready 
to move. The three local companies numbered just 188 men, Coni]-)any A leading 
with 68 men. Company G next with 61 men, while Company H had 39 men. The 
ofilicers of the local detachment of the Medical Corps were Cajit. Edmund Russell 
and Lieut. Thomas F. Healy. The junior officers of the three infantry com- 
panies were as follows: Comjiany A, first lieutenant. Wni. J. .Shanahan ; second 
lieutenant, vacant at time of call; Company H, first lieutenant, John L. (Jray, Jr.; 
second lieutenant, Charles E. LLnrt, Jr.; Company G, first lieutenant, Alva E. 
Parsons; second lieutenant, Matthew Galligan. 

On June 20th the work of recruiting to full war strengtli (companies of J 50 
men) began, and city officials, merchants, manufacturers and professional men 
announced that the families of those who enlisted would be looked after. In 
many instances full salaries were paid to those who had been called out. 

Finally on June 24, 1916, with their ranks nearly complete, the three com- 
panies left the armory on Phoenix Avenue, and entrained for camp at Niantic. 
At that time Company G had more than its (|uota. Company .\ had reached 121 
and Companv H was at 112. Idie par.ade at noon reviewed by Mayor Scully and 
Col. Walter H. Qiattield, U. S. A., retired, gave the people of Waterbury their 
first opoprtunity to see their soldier boys in fighting form. 

When the Waterbury companies, with other Connecticut troops, left for the 
Mexican border. June 28th and 29th. W. J. Shanahan had become captain of 
Company A, succeeding Capt. Henry B. Carter, who had been then over thirty 
years in the service. First Sergeant Fitzgibbons became second lieutenant. Cap- 
tain Carter was declared medically unfit on account of an old strain received 
while riding. The Waterliury com])anies were stationed at Nogales, Arizona, 
from July to October. 

In Waterbury the Red Cross raised a civilian relief fund of $5(10 a month for 
the benefit of the families of its soldiers. 

On Saturday. October 28. 1916, the Waterljury companies returned home and 
marched through streets crowded with a cheering multitude estiniatefl at (n).o<)0. 



314 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUa<: VALLEY 

^\11 jniblic buildings and business houses were decorated. The marshal of the 
day was Col. James Geddes and in the parade were the G. A. R., Spanish- 
American war veterans and many civic societies. At the banquet to the return- 
ing troopers given in Temple Hall, judge Lucien F. Burpee, .Mayor Scully and 
Charles A. Colley delivered addresses. 

It was but a brief respite the troops had, for on April 6, 1917, war was 
declared on Germany and the call for volunteers followed immediately. This 
was the first of the enlisting campaigns and it has, of course, been continuous. 
On March 28th, nine days before the declaration of war, the Waterbury com- 
panies were on duty at the armory nightly awaiting the call to duty. For over a 
month active recruiting work had been in progress. "America, your country, 
needs you now" was the sign on the tent erected on The Green for the promotion 
of naval enlistments. 

The governor had named a military emergency board, consisting of Judge 
Lucien I"". Burpee, Benedict M. Holden and J. Moss Ives, and under the state 
law of March 9, 1917, it began the organization here and elsewhere in the state, 
of an armed constabulary to do duty as a home guard. The recruiting ofilicers 
for Waterbury were: John M. Burrall, Henry B. Carter, James CJeddes, Patrick 
Bannon, Thomas F. Hallinan, Henry W. Minor, Roberts G. Hannegan, Wm. H. 
Sandland, Alfred J. Wolfl", and o\er five hundred w-ere signed up in the first two 
weeks. 

On March 26, 19 17, the aldernu-n had authorized a city guard to be armed 
and sworn in as special constables. 1"iiis organization was distinct from the 
state body. 

The Red Cross began its local campaign at once and within a few days had 
secured a membership of over three thousand. On April 6th the declaration of 
war found Waterbury in the midst of its "readiness" campaigns. The recruiting 
offices for every branch of the service were in full swing. 

On March 30th the first machine gun for the city guard arrived. On that 
day also came Maj. John L. Hughes, Coast Artillery, U. S. A., to begin the work 
of mustering in the three local companies, which were rapidly ncaring their war 
complements. 

On April i8th the first food conservation campaign was begun in Waterbury 
with the inauguration of gardening clul)s and the planning of a general vegetable 
seed planting program for the spring. 

Nor was the war fever confined to the American born. A contingent of forty 
Albanians and of fifty Poles left Waterbury early in June to join, one the Serbian 
and Albanian troops and the other to become part of the Polish contingent in the 
French army. 

TIIK UK.\FT 

The draft had in the meantime been authorized by Congress and on June i, 
1917, 108 deputies who were to register Waterbury 's eligible men between the 
ages of twenty-one and thirty-one. met in the City Hall and organized for work. 

A remarkable feature of registration day, Tuesday, June 5, 1917, was the 
quiet and law-respecting manner in which the Government orders were carried 
out. The total registration for Waterbury was 15,566, divided as follows: First 
Ward. 3,682; Second Ward, 2.442; Third Ward, 3,690; Fourth Ward. 3-1 14; 
Fifth Ward. 2.343; Sixth District ( Waterville). 295. 

The Waterbury exemption boards announced June 26th were as follows: 

City Division No. i. First and Fifth wards: Judge of Probate Dennis J. 
Slavin, Dr. Charles .\. Monagan. Ca])t .\lfred J. Wolff. 



\VAT]':kBUR\' AND Tlib: XAL'iiATLXK XALLPA' :;i.5 

Divisiun Xo. _', Sccoml Ward and Sixth \ oting l)i^trict; L". (i. Lhurcli, Ur. 
Nelson A. J'unic-roy. I hunias F. lackson. 

Division Xo. 3. Third and i'ourth wards: Terrcncc I". ('arniiHh, Francis P. 
Guilfoile, Dr. Dudley B. Deming. 

The quota required by the Govirnnient was as follows: Fir^t District. 4< jO ; 
Second District, 229; Third District. 530, a total (jf \.2l)i). 

The first men called under the draft. l'"rida\' July 20. lijlj. were: l'"ir;~t Di>- 
trjct. Adelberl Auray, 1255 East Main Street; Second District, Allie Sely, ii.| 
Thoniaston Avenue; Third District, Rocco Lignofe. 181 Charles .Street. 

The Second Exemption District Board for the state was located in Waterbury 
on August 4th. This is an appeal board and consists of Leonard M. Daggett, of 
New Haven; P. F. (J'Meara, of New Haven; Charles R. Treat, of Orange; Dr. 
Dudley B. Deniing, of Waterbury, and Darragh DeLancey. of Waterbury. 

The meeting places for examination of drafted men were arranged as follows: 
First City District, Crosby High School; Second City District. V. M. C. A. Build- 
ing; Third City District, State's Attorney ',s office. The second exem])tion district 
board for the state arranged to meet in the courthouse. 

r)n August 14th the work of examin;iti(.)n began and on August 20th the 
Third City District had reached its (|uota. The other districts were completed 
almost as speedily, but exemptions for physical and other causes kept the city 
district boards occupied until Se])teniber. The Seconrl Exemption District l!oard 
for the state is still holding sessions. 

On September 20th the first draft contingent of 2 per cent from each district 
entrained for Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass. The second contingent of 40 per cent 
leaving September 27th and a later contingent of 43 per cent < )ctober 4th. 
Recently 150 men were called and sent to Fort Wright, Fisher's Island. Approx- 
imately 13 per cent are not yet called and these will probably be summoned under 
the new questionnaire sent out late in K^ij. 

The Waterbury Xational Guard companies had been sent to Camji Vale at 
New Haven, April 3. 1917. In September they were encamped at I'Vjrt Totten, 
N. Y. They left for service abroad in October. 

On August 24th the First and Second regiments of the Connecticut National 
Guard were merged into the One Hundred and Second Regiment, United States 
Infantn,-. Waterbury's men formed companies A, G, and H. They are officered 
as follows: Company A, captain, William J. Shanahan ; first lieutenants, John 
Fitzgibbons, Ray E. Hall ; second lieutenants, Colin M. Ingersoll. William E. 
Murtaugh. Company H, captain, Harry B. liissell; first lieutenants, James A. 
Hagerty, Fred W. Deaucar ; second lieutenants, Thomas W. Brown, Leonard J. 
Maloney. Company H, captain, John L. Gray, Jr. ; first lieutenants, Florence W. 
Geer, Joseph E. Murtaugh ; second lieutenants, Cyrus C. Washburn, Edward C. 
Bell. Thomas F. Healey is headquarters company captain. 

The Second Regiment is commanded by Col. Ernest Isbell of New Haven, 
Lieut. Col. Edwin Lamb, of Hartford, Majs. Henry Beebe and Wm. Alcorn, of 
New Haven and George Rau, of Hartford. 

When the National Guard companies arrived at Camp Yale the companies 
were ordered increased to 250 men. Companies A and H retained practically 
all of their officers, but Company G was officered by men from other parts of the 
state. While the men in these companies are largely from Waterbury, the order 
to increase from 150 to 250 necessitated additions from many other sections of 
the country. 

The officers not assigned are now doing duty in southern camps. 

The City Guard was sworn in April 4, 1917, and now numbers 250 men. It 



316 \\.\'ri:Kr.L:RY AXl) THE XAUGATUCK \AL1.EY 

is in coiiuuaiul of Maj. D. E. Eitzpatrick, with captain and adjutant, E. J. Lyon. 
Its four mathine gun squads are in charge of Capt. Robert A. Cairns, city engi- 
neer. Thf captains of the City Guard are: Company A, II. G. Littlejohn; Com- 
pany B, I'c-lcr (hiffin; Company C. Win. II. Monagan; Company D, Edward W. 
Beach. 

The City Ciuard is armed with clubs and automatic revolvers and uniformed 
in khaki. Their campaign hats have green and white hat-cords. 

The Home (iuard mustered in and fully equipped now numbers about rt.ve 
hundred men. Its principal officers are : James Geddes, colonel ; Roberts G. 
Hannegan, major; Chauncey P. Goss, Jr., regimental and district adjutant with 
title of ca])tain ; John M. Burrall, regimental and district quartermaster with title 
of captain ; Edward W. Beach, district intelligence officer with title of captain. 
Captain, Company A, \Vm. R. Keavaney ; captain. Company H, Levi Wilcox ; 
captain. Company G, Thomas A. Jackson ; captain. Machine Gun Company, 
Rali^h T. lienedict; Headquarters and Supply Company, commanded by Lieut. 
Henry CL Littlejohn; Ambulance Corps, Maj. Dudley B. Deming, Capt. Thomas 
J. Kilmartin, Licuts. Edmund Russell, Edward A. Herr, Edmund W. Goodenough. 
There is also attached to the Home Guard the Waterbury Company, Reserves. 
consisting of lOO men in command of Capt. David Miller. 

l.ll■.:•:lrr^ i.oa.xs .\.\i) ukd i kuss .\.\i) oiiii;i< w .\k i rxDs 

The lirst Liberty Loan campaign was inaugurated in Waterbury May 4, 
1917. The city far exceeded its allotment of $3,0(XD,ooo. Workers in the fac- 
tories, merchants, doctors, lawyers and men and women in every walk of life 
assisted in getting subscriptions to the loan. The banks of the city co-operated. 
and made it possible to buy bonds on the instalment plan, $1 a week being the 
required payment for each $50 invested. There were 7,100 of these subscrip- 
tions in Waterbury, totaling $450,000. The campaign closed June 15th, and the 
total subscribed was $8,040,000. 

In March the Red Cross membership campaign was put under way. The 
object of the campaign was to enlist 3,000 additional members in the organization 
in a week, and once again the city "did its bit," over 3,200 members being secured. 
A campaign for 25,000 members for 1918 was under way in December. 

The plans for the second Liberty Loan campaign were put in motion in 
October by the committee in charge of the first Liberty Loan campaign here. 
Judge Walter D. Makepeace again headed the executive committee, and his asso- 
ciate members were selected from all walks and stations of life, and included 
factory heads, bankers, merchants and laborers. The ]'>oy Scouts, fraternal 
organizations of all classes and nationalities, factories and even school children 
who were not organized, willingly helped. The campaign was kept in the public 
eye through nightly meetings on The Green, at which addresses were delivered 
by men from this city and out of town. A booth for the sale of the bonds was 
opened on Tlie Green, and a clock erected there so that the standing of the cam- 
paign could be seen at all times. A bell was placed at the booth, and designated 
the "Liberty Bond Bell." Only purchasers of the bonds were allowed the dis- 
tinguished honor of ringing the bell, and its ringing appeal reached many people's 
patriotic spirit. The campaign opened October 2, 191 7, and continued for four 
weeks. The banks of the city were kept open nightly during the closing week of 
the campaign here. After the last report had been sent into headquarters on the 
final night of the campaign, and the entire figures had been finally authenticated, 
it was found that once more Waterbury had far exceeded its quota. The final 



\\'ATi:R[;L'm' A\n iiii'; xaicai tck xau.i-.v :;i7 

report, sunt in to the Xc-w England lK-ad(|uarters in I'.oston, sliowed ^.uliscriptions 
from this city amounting to $7,Soo,ooi). Waterliur\- was aniung the lirst ten 
cities of New h'ngland to re]jort quotas suliscrilied. The aninuiil allntted was 
$3,650,000, with a maxiniuin of $(>, 130.000. 

Within a week after tlie closing of the In-st Liln-rty Loan cani|iaign, the Red 
Cross campaign for funds was hegun. \\aterl)ur\- was assigned an allotment 
of $400,000. which was larger than the (|Uot;i of .any other city in the sl.ale. The 
total reached was .S4,^f 1.1)07.01). 

At an allied hazaar conducted in Temple llall during the week from Api'il 
_'8th to May Jth. for the imrpose of r.iising funds in aid of the w.ir-stricken r'si 
dents of the allied countries, the net sum of ,$4S.ooo was realized. 

Another interesting canijiaign was for the War lamp C'ommuiutv fund, 
to provide entertainment and education. ]ihysical. mental and moral, for the 
hoys in the training coups ,ind cantcjinnents. The fund was o\ ersuhscrilied, 
totaling $i(i,(;jo. 

The Jewish peo])le of the city coiurihuted $_>3,ooo to a ."^lo.aio.ixx) fund 
raised in the country for the relief of tiie jews in the war zones. 

The \arious funds f(.)r miscellaneous purposes, including toliacco, candy 
and others, were all heartily supported. The campaign ffjr the \. .M . C A. 
war work fund furnished a sur[)rise. On .accomit of the m.anv money-raising 
enterprises which had heen carried out in the city in \i)\- it was expected 
that only hy the most energetic work and united supi>ort coidd the citv's allot- 
ment, $132,000. be gained. This amount was Waterbury's share of a fund 
of $35,000,000 which the National War Work Council was endeavoring to 
raise in the country for the moral, ment.d and physical welfare of the nation's 
thousands of soldiers. The most optimistic expectations of the committee, 
which was headed liy Timothy F. P>arry. were exceeded. ihe fund surpassed 
the $152,000 mark liy more than S'lj.ooo. The final mark reached was 
$215,613.30. 

.Shortly before Thanksgixing Day, the Home .Sweet Idome fund was started 
to bring Waterbury members of the National Army honn- for Thanksgiving. 
The Waterbury boys were stationed at the training camp at Ayer. Alass. The 
city voted an appropriation of $2,000 to help defray the expenses. Individual 
gifts and the proceeds of benefit performances at all theaters accounted for 
more than $5,000 additional, so that over $7,000 was on hand. 

The Knights of Columbus began their campaign for $25,000 earl\- in De- 
cember, and this, too, was raised without difficulty and is for the purpose of adding 
to the camp comforts and physical and moral well-being of the enlisted men. 

The new draft regulations to govern the examinations of the seconil contin- 
gent of drafted men became effective December 13, ioi7- For this service medical 
advisory boards have been appointed and to these will be referred all cases where 
doubt arises in the examinations before local boards. The personnel of the Water- 
bury board approved by President Wilson follows : Doctors V. C. Graves, chair- 
man ; M. J. Lawlor, Charles Engelke, A. C. Swenson. M. J. Donahue. D. J. Maloney, 
Carl E. Munger, George A. Gosselin, C. IT. Brown. 

MO\-l"MKN'TS TO K0CH.\Mr.E.'\f's .\KMV 

Dennis II. Tiernev. who died luiie it. l<)i(>. de\(ited iiukIi of his time to 
securing belated recognition for the men of Rochamlieau's .iriuy who marched 
to join \\'ashington on the Hudson through Marion, \\'aterbury and Middlebury. 
Four regiments undertook the journey, starting from Providence, R. 1., June 11, 



318 WATKRHURY AXD TIIR XAI'GATL'CK \ ALLEY 

1781, and marchfd inland fo keep their niovcMiK-nts concealed from the enemy. 
They reached what is now known as French Hill at Marion on June 28 and 
encamped tiiere. Their next stop was at Breakneck Hill in Middlebury. It was 
here that Mr. Tierncy in iy02 erected a conimeniorative shaft at his own expense. 

On June 30, 19 12, the shaft at Marion was dedicated. In his address at 
the unveiling Judge John Walsh of Xew Britain said: "The erection of this 
monument was advocated, planned and designed by patriotic citizens of Irish 
birth and descent to commemorate one of the most important incidents in the 
history of the state and nation when the great army of France which had sailed 
over 3,000 miles across seas to assist the colonies in achieving their indci)endence, 
traversed our little state on its way from Providence to Yorktown." 

In April, 1914, Dennis If. Tierncy again interested himself in raising funds 
for another memorial to the soldiers of Rochambeau who died near the East 
l""arms Cemetery while French aid was moving to join Washington on his march 
to Yorktown. When the appeal was issued the response was immediate and on 
August 16, 1914, the shaft in East Farms Cemetery was dedicated. It has this 
inscription : "This memorial was erected by patriotic citizens and statesmen to 
commemorate two French soldiers of Rochanibeau's army who volunteered to 
tight for American independence under Washington, en route from Newport 
to Yorktown, died and were buried here, 1781. Contributors, Governors Baldwin, 
of Connecticut, Dunne, of Illinois, a native of Waterbury, Glynn, of New York, 
McGovern, of Wiconsin, McCreary, of Kentucky ; United States Senators of 
Connecticut F. B. Brandegec, (i. P. McLean; Senator Irving H. Chase, Connecti- 
cut; Congressmen A. Lonergan, B. 1'. Mahan. T. L. Reilly, Wm. Kennedy of 
Connecticut; Martin Scully, Mayor of Waterbury; Alfred J. Wolff, president 
board of aldermen; I"". P. (iuilfoyle. corporation counsel; school children and 
teachers. Committee of erection. D. II. Tierncv. Chas. S. Miller. Ervis E. 
Wright." 

Nearly 4.000 people gathered to hear the addresses and witness the unveiling. 
.Among the speakers were (jovernor S. E. Baldwin. Mayor Martin Scully, Con- 
gressman Thomas L. Reilly, Congressman William Kennedy. Rev. John G. Dav- 
enport, Rev. Frederick D. Buckley, Rev. Luke E. Fitzsiinons, Rabbi David B. 
Swiren, Charles A. Colley and Edward Balthazar, whose address was in French. 



cii.\1'T]-:r xxvii 
waterbury in state affairs 

WATERBURV HAS HAL) FI-;\\ ( LIIZI';NS IX S I ATli IIFFKES GEORc;!-: I.. LII.I.EV A NdTAUI.K 

EXCEPTION' HIS (AKEEK IN CITY I'DI.ITKS FOLLOWED BY ELECTION TO THE 

LFXISLATURI-; AND TIII-;N V.V TllKi:i-: la.ECTlON'S TO CONGRESS HIS CONTESTS 

ATTRACT NATIONAL ATTENTION — AI lACK nN i.l'.Nl-.RAL PAPICR CnMPAN^ IICUT 

ON SUR.MAKINE SCANDAL \DVEkSI-. Kl-.PORl V,\ ( nNCRICSSIONAL COM M IT 1 lil-; 

RETURNS FOR NINDICATKiN AND IS i;LI-.( lEIl ( .o\T-,KNi IR HIS Sl'DDEN DEATH. 

Perhaps because most of the best trained niiiuls of the city are devoted to 
industrial or business matters, Waterbury ha^^ played a very small part in state 
politics. She has furnished only one go\ernor to the state, George L. 1-illey, 
elected in 1908. No resident of Waterbury has ever been chosen United States 
senator. The first representative in Congress selected from Waterbury was Gen. 
Stephen W. Kellogg, who served the then Second District from dSCkj to 1875. 
Thereafter Waterbury had no congressman until (^Jeorge L. Lilley was elected 
congressman-at-large in up^, serving until lyoo. 

Minor state elective offices are usually apportioned on a basis of promotion 
by seniority, tempered by the traditional political deals, but the local habit of 
sending new men to the General Assembly at almost every session has prexented 
our representatives from obtaining the acquaintance and prestige necessary to 
obtain a following sufficient to place any of them on the state tickets of the prin- 
cipal parties. (Ireen Kendrick was lieutenant-governor for one year in 183 1-2 
and Luzerne L Munson was state comptroller from 1885 to 1887. No resident of 
Waterbury has ever been secretary of state, state treasurer, or attorne)-general. 
Waterbury men rarely have the scant i)leasure of being nominated and defeated 
for any of these offices. With the exception of Walter W. Holmes, who 
gallantly took the republican nomination for state treasurer in the forlorn hope 
year of 1912 when the republican party split over Roosevelt, the major parties 
have not come to Waterbury for political timber in recent years. Mayor Kilduff 
was nominated by the Democrats for state treasurer in 1902 and Mayor Thoms 
was a prospective candidate on the state democratic ticket during his era of 
political activity but never got beyond the stage of complimentary votes. 

The career of George Leavens Lilley, of Waterbury, congressman and gover- 
nor, furnishes a notable exception to this and adds a colorful chapter to the poht- 
ical history of the city, one in which success and tragedy followed close u[)on each 
other's heels. 

His untimely death on .April 2i^t, kjcx). at the lieginning of his term of office 
as governor, was an appalling climax to one of the bitterest cam[)aigns e\er con- 
ducted in the state. 

The story of his lite and <]f his w(irk is now a part of the hisldry (if Water- 
bury. The lapse of time has to some extent wiped out the differences then 
engendered so that the persjiectixc of his worth to the state and natiim i>; becoming 
clearer to the public, mind. 

.{I'J 



320 \\ATF.Rr.URY AXD THE XAUGATUCK VALLEY 

He was born on a farm near Oxford, Mass., August 3, 1859, and was educated 
in the schools of that town and later in the Worcester High School and Worcester 
Polytechnic Institute. He came to Waterbury as a young man and with Swift 
& Co. of Chicago formed the firm of Lilley, Swift & Co., which soon controlled 
much of the meat business of the entire valley. 

The partnership continued until the death of G. F. Swift, which dissolved it, 
although the old name was retained for trade reasons and Mr. Lilley's brother, 
John A. Lilley, became the local manager for the Swifts. 

Mr. Lilley was one of the largest holders of real estate in the Naugatuck Val- 
ley and indeed in Connecticut, owning extensive property in the heart of Torring- 
ton, Waterbury, Winsted and Naugatuck. Practically all of the comfortable 
estate he had amassed grew solely through a keen talent for barter, shrewd fore- 
sight and great faith in the future of this industrial valley. These marked his 
transactions in real estate and fructified them. 

Mr. Lilley always took an interest in the municipal aftairs of his town and was 
an ardent republican, but he never entered politics until the fall of 1900. With 
the same energy that marked his business career, he entered a town meeting 
packed with the adherents of the administration and denounced its extravagance. 
He was howled down and even threatened with personal violence. 

The ring proposed to and finally did award a contract for road repairs in the 
sum of $35,cxDO, which Mr. Lilley olifered to take under bond for $3,500. He 
offered to conduct the town government, which was costing $180,000 yearly, for 
$80,000, and when later he announced himself a candidate for the legislature with 
the avowed purpose of working for the consolidation of the city and town govern- 
ments, he was elected by a majority close to 1,000 in a town that was at that time 
normally 1,500 democratic. 

Mr. Lilley introduced a bill dividing the state into five congressional districts, 
when the state became entitled to that many representatives, under the apportion- 
ment following the 1900 census, but the legislature thought it wiser to provide for 
a congressman-at-largc. At that time he had no thought of himself for the place. 
It was after the session had expired that some of his friends in the legislature put 
his name forward. He determined to enter the race, and he was nominated in 
the republican state convention in September, 1902. 

On the succeeding election day. he was chosen by the voters of the state by a 
majority of more than 13,000 over Homer Cummings of Stamford. He was re- 
nominated and re-elected in 1904 by a majority exceeding 33,000 over ex-Senator 
William Kennedy of Naugatuck. In 1906 he was re-elected for the second time 
in an "off-year" campaign by a plurality of 20,362. 

In his first session, Mr. Lilley made a vigorous attack upon the congressional 
"free seed" abuse. At the 1905 session, Mr. Lilley renewed his battle with the 
same vigor. Elis re-election proved that he had not lost the "farmer vote." and 
it put some courage into his confreres with the result that more than 100 votes 
were cast on Mr. Lilley's side, but the measure still lacked a sufficient number to 
carry. 

In the fall of 1904, Mr. Lilley introduced the resolution that eventually resulted 
in the trial and conviction of the General Paper Company, popularly known as 
the paper trust, and the dissolving of the combine, which had artificially advanced 
the price of print paper to the newspapers of the country. 

It was during his last session that Mr. Lilley acquired national celebrity through 
his exposure of the submarine boat lobby. As a member of the committee on 
naval affairs, he had some of his worst suspicions confirmed, and the limit was 
reached when its appropriation bill contained a clause increasing the number of 
submarines and limiting the type to that of the Electric Roat Company. 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 321 

Close friends of Air. Lilley insii-ted that he virtually died of a broken heart as 
a result of the investigation into the methods of the Electric Boat Company, 
makers of the Holland submarine boat, during his last term in congress. Repre- 
sentative Lilley asserted that the boat company was using improper methods to 
influence legislation; more specifically, that its attorneys had tramed resolutions 
that passed the naval committee (of which he was a member), and that gave to 
this boat company the sole right to bid on the required type of vessel and enabled 
it to overcharge the government nearly a million dollars. 

As a result of the prominence given to the subject, congress, during the course 
of the inquiry, rejected the Loudenslager resolution from the house naval com- 
mittee paying $i,2S6 a ton for submarines and threw the contract open to bids. 
When the proposals were opened at the navy department, they were found to 
average about $850 a ton, on which basis there was a saving to the government 
of something like $800,000 from the prices previously paid to the Electric Boat 
Company. Mr. Lilley and his friends claimed that this was a complete justification 
of his course. 

Meantime the investigation went on and Lilley's failure to prove some of his 
incidental charges, such as the alleged contributions to the campaign funds of 
representatives by the boat company, wore so heavily on his nervous system that 
before the completion of the investigation he was ordered away from VVashington 
by his physician there. The report of the Boutell committee was scathing. It 
declared none of his charges proven, said that he had acted as a partisan of the 
Lake company of Bridgeport, accused him of "inaccuracies under oath," and 
branded him as a man of dishonor. It was the severest castigation to a member 
of Congress that ever emanated from a congressional committee. There were 
twenty-three conclusions, nearly every one of which denounced the author of the 
resolution. It was so severe that eighty-six members of the house \oted against 
its acceptance, and twenty-three declined to vote. 

Lilley returned to Connecticut to get a \indication. He was already a candi- 
date for governor, and was elected, but at the cost of his health and a deepening 
of the wounds received in Washington. His political opponents used the report 
of the Boutell committee as campaign material and their chief argument was 
that a man who had been pronounced unworthy by Congress was unworthy of the 
highest honor in the gift of the state. 

The state's vote made him governor by a plurality of 15,819 over the demo- 
cratic candidate, former Judge A. Heaton Robertson of New Haven, a director 
of the New Haven Railroad. 

He died at 7:26 P. M. April 21, 1909, in the executive residence at Hartford, 
of acute nephritis. The state accorded him a public funeral. Friday, April 23. 
the members of the Legislature acting as civil guard with the First Company of 
Foot Guard as military escort, followed the remains from the late governor's resi- 
dence on Farmington Avenue to the State Ca[)itol, where the body lay in state 
until 10 o'clock Saturday morning. At that time, after thousands had viewed 
the retnains, impressive funeral services were held on the north front of the State 
House. Right Rev. Chauncey B. Brewster, Episcopal bishop of the diocese of 
Connecticut, officiated, assisted by the chaplain of the Senate and the chaplains 
of the military escort. The Hartford Choral LTnion sang the hymn, "Nearer, -My 
God, to Thee." Former Governor George P. McLean delivered the eulogy. 

In Waterbury, thousands crowded the street while the body was given military 
escort to St. John's Church. Troop A Cavalry, the Signal Corps, the Second 
Infantry, the First Separate Company, eight companies of the Coast Artillery 
Corps, two companies of the naval militia, the Governor's Horse Guards, the Gov- 



322 WATERBURY AXD THE XAUGATUCK \ALEEV 

emor's Foot Guard, comprised the militia and in the civil escort were the members 
of the Legislature, state and citj- oflScials, congressional delegates, and court 
officials. 

Thousands crowded the street approaches to the church and the entire route of 
the funeral to Riverside Cemeten-. The Episcopal services both at the church 
and at the grave were read by Rev. John X. Lewis, of St. John's, and Rev. James 
Goodwin, chaplain of the First Company, Governor's Foot Guard. 

Governor Lilley's widow and her three sons, Frederick, John and Theodore, 
have since his death greatly increased the large estate he left, and have been 
active in the upbuilding of the communit)". The Lilley Building, the finest office 
building in the cit)-, is an evidence of their continuing faith in the future of Water- 
bury, as well as a monument to the former governor. 



CHAPTEr< X.WIII 
WATERBURY CORPORATIOXS, ACTIVE AXD LAPSED 

COVERING THE PERIOD FRuM l8y4 TO I917 AXD IXCLUDIXG ALL OLDER CORPORATIOXS 
THAT WERE LEGISLATED OUT OF EXISTEXCE DURIXG THIS PERIOD. 

The following is a list of incorporations tiled with the secretary of state from 
1894 until November, 1917. 

1894 
Date of Incorporation Amount 

December lOth George S. Chattield Company S 1,000 

December 31. 1910 . . Increased capital to 50.000 

June Miller & Peck Company 10,000 

June 20th Tracy Brothers Company 50,000 

March 21, 1901 Increased capital to 100.000 

January i6th Bristol Company 10.000 

1S95 

February i6th Hellmann Brewing Company S 50.000 

February 8th Hewitt Grocery Company 5.000 

February ist White & \\'ells Company 50.000 

August 19th City Book Binding Company 5.000 

1896 

October 24th Mattatuck Manufacturing Company S 30.000 

November 30, 1901.. . Increased capital to 50,000 

May 2, 1907 Increased capital to 75.000 

February 3. 1910. . . . Increased capital to 225.000 

December 7th W. L. Hall Company 25.000 

March 17, 1909 Increased capital to 50.000 

January ist Pierpont Brothers Company 3.000 

February 27th City Ice Company 3 000 

April 9th E. C. Church Company 25.000 

October 31. 1901. . . . Increased capital to 75.000 

May 9, 1903 Increased capital to 100.000 

1897 

November ist H. \\'. Lake Drug Company $ 2.500 

June 26th Trott Baking Company 30.000 

April 8th Brass City Lumber Company 20.000 

July 23d -A. .^. Giase Company 100 000 

February 14, 1902. . . Increased capital to 150.000 



March 30th Shoe Hardware Company S 25.000 

December 20. 1913.- ■ Increased capital to 400.000 

323 



324 WATERBURY AND THE XAL'GATUCK VALEEY 

Date of Incorporation Amount 

April 19, 1917 Reduced capital to $100,000 

October 29th Waterbury Battery Company 10,000 

Kovcmber 30, 1903. . Increased capital to 50,000 

November 2, 1916. . Increased capital to 125,000 

September 14th .... Waterbury Tool Company 5,ooo 

August 28, 1899 Increased capital to 7.300 

July 5, igoo Increased capital to 1 1,300 

February 12, 1901 . . . Increased capital to 14,500 

July 29, 1904 Increased capital to 40,000 

April II, 1913 Increased capital to 280,000 

February 25th Ziglatzki-Marks Company 5,ooo 

1899 

Noonan-Keily Company changed from Lake & 

August i6th Strobel Company $ 3,000 

April 2, 1914 Change of name. 

December 30th Valentine Bohl Company 25,000 

February 17, 1910. . . Increased capital to 150,000 

August 1 2th American Printing Company 75,000 

November 16, 1907. . Increased capital to 100,000 

1900 

February 26th Maiuifacturers' h'oundry Company $ 10,000 

September 21, 1903 . . Increased capital to 50,000 

April 3, 1907 Increased cai)ital to 100,000 

May 2, 1913 Increased capital to 200,000 

August 31st Good Will Hatt Company 2,500 

July 18, 1904 Increased capital to 5,000 

March 24th Great Brook Manufacturing Company 5 000 

June 13, 1900 Increased capital to 25,000 

February 10, 1910. . . Increased capital to 75.000 

Tanuary 16th James V. Washburne Company 5,000 

November 20, igoo. . Increased capital to 10,000 

July 13, 1901 Increased ca])ital to 15,000 

April 6, 1903 Preliminary dissolution. 

Tuly 28th Model Laundry Company 2,000 

August 15, 1910 Preliminary dissolution. 

November 23rd Bronson-Krubbs Company 1,000 

July 9th Chase Rolling Mill Company 500,000 

February 20. 1902. . . Increased capital to 800.000 

February 20, 1903. . . Increased capital to 1,200,000 

.A.pril 6, 1907 Increased capital to 2,500,000 

June 27, 191 7 Preliminary dissolution. 

1901 

April 9th WoodrulT Grocery Company $ to.ooo 

October 23rd Waterbury Paper Box Company, Inc 25.000 

Tanuary 27, 1914. . . ■ Increased capital to 50.000 

May 2nd Reid & Hughes Dry Goods Company 50,000 

Increased capital to 150,000 

March nth Brass City Drug Company 1,500 



WATERBURV AND THE XAUGATUCK VALLEY 325 

1902 

Date of Incorjjoration Amount 

March 24111 .\L J. Daly & Sons, Inc $ 50,000 

June 2nd Rowbottom .\L'ichiii(.- Company, Jnc 10,000 

April 17th Sonora .Mining i.\: De\elopnu'nt Conijiany, Inc 2CX),ooo 

December i2lh \\ aterbury Keally ^' ln\'estnient Corj)oration 30,000 

W'alerbury .\Iu>ic L'i)nip;iny changed from Charles 

September 15th .... J I. Percy 1^ Company S.ooo 

December 30, 1903. . Change of name. 

May 8th W'aterbury Ice Cori)oration 15,000 

October ist Waterbury Reiniblican, Incorporated 30,000 

I'"ebruary 2Sth .V. E. Taylor Company, of W'aterbury I0,ixx3 



January 5th Ilamillon ILall .Xssociation, Incorporated $ 2,500 

May lOth Hamilton Hardware Corporation 20,000 

March 13, i<)i3 Increased capital to 75.000 

July 1st Sanderson Brothers Company, Inc 15,000 

Eebruary 5th Waterbury Hotel Corporation 300,000 

July 23rd Eagle Brewing Company 25,000 

August 7, 1915 I'iled papers changing jiurpuses of corjioration. 

1904 

April 5th Randiilph Clowes Comp.any $500000 

July 7th W. C. I ..anglry I'urniture Company, Inc 25,000 

July 19, KJ17 Preliminary dissolution. 

January 23rd W'atcrljury ISrass Goods Corporation 500.000 

August 9th Mordcn Alanufacturing (/orporalion So.ooo 

June 4, 1906 Reduced cajiital tu 40,000 

December 15th Xew England hdectric .Supply Cumjj.iny changed to 

Electric .^upplv iv l*'.i|nipnient Company 25,000 

November 10, i<)io. . Increased c;i|iital to 100,000 

December zj. loii-- Ch;inge of n.ime. 

December 23rd J. 1'.. .'~lniith, Incor])orated 50,000 

March <). kho Increased capital to 150,000 

December 30th Ilotchkiss Company changed from Hotchkiss & 

Templeton, Inc 25,000 

May 5, iqiy Change of name. 

June 28, 1917 Increased capital to looooo 

May nth 1 Icnry Weyand Company. Inc 10,000 

July 25, 191 3 Increased capital to 50,000 

September 20th Eranco-American Coal 6c Wood Company, Inc. . . . 10,000 

January 2nd Credit Clothing Company 

August 3, 1905 Preliminary dissolution. 

April 6th .\cme Manufacturing Company 2,500 

January 6, 1907 Chano-ed name. Brooks & Richards Manufactur- 
ing C'ompany. 

1005 

March 6th Noera ^Manufacturing Company $ 50,000 

January 14, 1907. . . . Increased capital to 75,000 



326 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Date of Incorporation Amount 

December 5th French Manufacturing Company $ 25,000 

March 2, 1910 Increased capital to 50,000 

March 14, 1913 Increased capital to 100,000 

1906 

January 22nd Jones-Morgan iS: Comjiany, Inc S 50,000 

November 17, 1916. . Increased capital to 100,000 

March 22nd Equipoise Rivet Comj);>ny 5,ooo 

September 1 7th Realty & Cement Construction Company 10,000 

June 21, 1917 Preliminary dissolution. 

March ist Eulton-Driggs & Smith Company changed from 

Fulton Music Company 20,000 

February 21, 1910. . . Increased capital to 30,000 

August 6, 191 5 Change of name. 

July 23rd O'Brien Construction Com])any 25,000 

November 2n(l Waterbury Country Club, Inc 50,000 

December 24th Watertovvn Lumber Company 10,000 

March 16, 1912 Increased capital to 20,000 

■July 7lh Welton Realty Company 30,000 

Waterbury Rolling Mills changed from Waterbury 

February 28th ^letal Com])any 100,000 

April 24th Change of name. 

May 7. 1907 Increased capital to 200,000 

November 2nd Waterville Corporation 5,000 

September loth Connecticut Oil Company 2,500 

January 12, 191 1 ... . Increased cajjital to 22,500 

October 19th Fast Mountain Ice Company 10,000 

March 24th \tlas Machine Com])any 10,000 

July 8, 1910 Increased capital to 50,000 

May 3rd Blake & Johnson Company, changed name from 

Blake & Johnson. 

January 30, 1908. . . . Increased capital to 120,000 

I-'ehrnary 3, 1914. . . . Increased capital to 200,000 

1907 

September 24th Magner &■ Bear Hardware Company changed from 

Magner Hardware Company $ 15,000 

March 29, 1911 Change of name. 

September 18, 1912.. Preliminary dissolution. 

February 25th Fidelity Construction Company 3,000 

April 22, 1914 Preliminary dissolution. 

February 21st Naugatuck \'allcy Land Corporation 50.000 

March i8th Negro Business League, Inc 10.000 

April 2nd Pilling Brass Comjiany changed to R. E. Boden 

Company 25,000 

July 8, 1915 Increased capital to. , ico.ooo 

November 27, 191 7. . Change of name. 

September i6th Waterbury Trucking Company 2,500 

June 27, 1910 Preliminary dissolution. 

April 5th Willetts & Miller Realty Company 50,000 

April 5th Waterbury Foundry Company 40,000 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY ^27 

Date of Incorporation Amount 

February I4tli American Railway Signal Company $ ] j,0(.)o 

July i8th Child- Heron Law Corpuration 25,000 

May 2[), iyo9 Changed to Connecticut Rating i^ Adjustment 

Bureau. 

January 23rd Citizens Land Corporation 30,000 

April 9th Curran Dry Goods Company 40,000 

October "th Ajax Manufacturing Company 70,000 

1 90S 

September 22nd . . . .Filley & Cr;ine Company $ 40,000 

April 4th Henry Sjiinach Contracting Cumpany, Jnc 2,000 

May 8, 1908 Increased capital to 10,000 

January 8th Union -Merchandise Cor])(ir;Uion 50,000 

April 25th Alexander Johnston Building and Construction 

Corporation 12,000 

October :2th American Metal Hdse Comiiany 50,000 

February 14, 1913. . . Increased capital to 150,000 

May 15th Artificial Stove Cnmp;iny 5,000 

Novenilier 23rd Cheshire L.'uid C(im|>any 12,000 

March 2Cith Citizens C(]al Company 50,000 

Decenilier i8th Connecticut h'ootwear Company 250000 

January 8th Connccficul Hook- and Eye Coni]iany 50.000 

October 31st Ci;iiu- l.mich ( ompany 10,000 

M)09 

A[)ril 17th General Manufacturing Company $ 10,000 

May 27, T(M3 Increased capital to 40000 

May 13th Keator Land Company 50,000 

October 5th Increased capital to 100,000 

July 10th T.udington Cigarette Machine Comp.'iny. Inc 50.000 

October 15th Mullings Clothing Company Ijo.ooo 

July 31, 1915 Bankruptcy statement. 

March 17th Sjiencer Grain Company. Inc 30,000 

October 19th Williams Scaling Corporation 100,000 

December kj, 1910. . Increased capital to 150,000 

March 6th Waterbury Castings Company 100,000 

December 10, 1914. . Increased cajMtal to 125,000 

January 29th Waterbury Mattress Company 20000 

May 20th American Nut Company 25,000 

March 19th Andrews-Douglas Comp;niy 30,000 

September 5, 1912. . . Increased capital to 60,000 

January 18, 1913.... Changed name to Andrews-Fairbanks Company. 

March 29th Chase Corporation 5,000,000 

January 27, 1913. . . . Changed name to Chase Metal Works, Inc. 

December 30th City Lumber & Coal Company 100.000 

November 19th American i\Iills' Company, capital increased to 150,000 

July 7, 1914 Merged with New Haven Web Company and 

Narrow Fabric Corporation; capital 1,200,000 

1910 

June 6th George L. Lilley Company $ 9,000 

November 19, 1917. . Increased capital to 450,000 



328 WATERBURY AND THE x\AUGATUCK VALLEY 

Date of Incorporation Amount 

April 28tli IL S. Coe & Company Incorporated, changed from 

D. L. Diclvinson & Son, Inc $ 35,ooo 

June (S, 191 1 Change of name. 

May 3rd ilampson, Mintie a n d Abbott, Incor]X)rated, 

January 7, 1914 changed from Ilampson-Mintie Furniture 

Company 30,000 

January 6th Maples Realty Company, Watertown 100,000 

October 11, 1917. . . . Capital increased to 200,000 

February 24th T. H. Hayes Company 25,000 

February 2nd South Waterbury Land Company 30,000 

July 2 1 St American Sheet Metal Works 8,000 

April 28th 1). L. Dickinson & Son, Inc 35,ooo 

June 8, 191 1 Changed name to II. S. Coe & Company, Inc. 

1911 

September i8th Redmond Realty Company $ 30,000 

December 12th F. N. Perry and Sons Company 10,000 

November 17th .... Ilarols, Incorporated 5,OOo 

November I5lh Lindens Realty Company 12,000 

May 29tii Town Plot Development Association, Inc., changed 

from Town Plot Improvement Association, 

Incorporated 25,000 

November 21st Change of name. 

June 9th Standard Engineering Company, Inc 20,000 

November 5, 1917... Amdt. of cert, of incorporation. 

June 1st Ralph X. Blakcslee Company 150,000 

September 20th Waterbury Welding Company lO.OOO 

March 13th Wells Estate Corporation 60,000 

June 29th William & Brown, Inc.. changed from F. J. IJrown 

Company 2,000 

November 25, 1914. . Change of name. 

October 23rd Woodward Land Corporation 50,000 

May 2nd Barlow Brothers Company -. . 75 000 

October 6th Callender Pharmacy 10,000 

April lotli Central Development Company 50,000 

December 23rd Charles A. Templcton, Inc., changed from D. B. 

Wilson Com])any 

May 15. 1913 Increased capital to 50,000 

June 9th Standard Engineering Company 20,000 

IMarch loth Clowes Realty Company 100,000 

April 10, 1912 Capital increased to 350,000 

November loth The Davis & Ilawley Jewelry. Inc 40.000 

May 1 1 th Eastern Land Company 30 000 

July 1 5th Alexander Dallas 40,000 

1912 

April 22nd Elton Garage, Incorporated $ 25.000 

July 1 8th Mahaney Company 50 000 

May 14th ITodson P)rothers Company 25,000 

March 15th Martin Bergin's Sons, Inc 10,000 

January 29th R. F. Worden & Sons. Incorporated 13,000 



WATKRr.URV AND THE .\AI;GATLCK \'AUJ£V :'r2'.l 

Date of Incorporalioii Amount 

February 24th Alassicotte-Kasdon-Moriu Com[)any. Inc S 5.00;) 

March 27th Middlebury Land ^ Iniprovcnient Coinjiany 10,000 

June Jth -Metal Sjiecialty IManiifacturing Company 25,000 

December lOth Seymour Smith & Son, Inc.. W'atcrtown 25,000 

August 2i.st Robin.son Tool Works. Inc 5.000 

April loth Taft School, Incorjioratcd. W.itertown 300,000 

September 3rd Taxi Service Company of W'aterbury, Inc 10,000 

August 12, 1913 Increased capital to 25,o<jo 

February 24th .Sanitary Kcclainiing Company, Inc 3.000 

September 20th Preliminary dissolution. 

May loth Warner & AIiIkiII (.Ompany changed to I'he Chas. 

1*". Abbot! Company 25,000 

November 17, 1917.. Change of name. 

January 26th Thomas Kelly. Inc 5cj.0(X) 

July I2th Waterbury Sand (,\: (iravel tdni]),iny 20,000 

December i ith \\\ J I. Lowe Company 10,000 

May loth Todd Rubber Comiiany of Waterbury. Inc 2,000 

February 15th Thomas F. Jackson Company 50,000 

July gth .Sonnenberg-.Skinner Comjiany 25.000 

March i<)lh .Soroch I'liarmacv. Inc lO.OfX) 

April 30th Ger\ais I'.nithcrs Company 15.000 

January 20th Coldsinith-Chatru-ld Conii)any 10,000 

October gth Andrew C. Campljcll 50,000 

June I Ith \utoyre Company 200,000 

December 13th C. E. Johnson Comjiany 2 500 

December 20th D. E. Carroll iS: Company 60,000 

September 23rd Decker & Scott Coni]iany 50,000 

January (), 1913 Changed to .\. ( ). Decker Companv. 



February 17th LI. Da\idoft' Comjiany. Incorporated S 10.000 

November T3, IQ15.. Preliminarv dissolution. 

November loth \Vaterlnn\v Scrap Iron Company. Inc 10.000 

May 3rd Willett, Rich &• Willett. Inc.. changed from Rich, 

W'illett & Swan, Inc (),ooo 

I'ebruarv 2. 1014. • • • Change (jI name and increased capit.al to 25.000 

January 17111 G. PL Manville Pattern and Model Company 5.000 

October 15th Frank Cruess & Sons Company 40.000 

April 4th Howard W'. Connor Company, Inc 10.000 

January 24th J. A. Keegan Company. Incorjiorated 2.500 

Xovember i8th Jones Drug Company 20.000 

April 1 st National Company 50.000 

September 22, 1916. . Increased capital to 250.000 

August 20th Princess Theater Company of Waterlmry, Inc S.ooo 

March 23. 191 5 Increased capital to 25.000 

August 20th Thompson & Bishop, Inc 50,000 

December 4th W. R. Keaveney & Son, Inc 25.000 

April 23rd Watertown Lawn Club, Inc 20,000 

February 21st Willard Com|)any 100,000 

February 7th Waterbury Standard Tool & Machine Comiiany, 

Incorporated 10.000 



330 WATERBURY AND THE XALGATUCK VALLEY 

Date of Incorporation Amount 

July 1st James A. Hynes & Son, Inc $ 5,000 

November 12th Murphy & Reuter Company 15,000 

April lOth Boston Fur Company 30,000 

November i4lh Bristol Auto Service Company changed from Auto 

Service Comj)any. 

June 14th Bunker Hill Company 6,000 

Way 27th Chase Metal Works, Inc., changed to Chase Cor- 
poration. 

August nth A. J. Patton Company 5,ooo 

January 6th A. O. Decker Company changed from Decker & 

Scott Company. 

1914 

March 20th Waterbury Democrat, Inc $ 25,000 

November 21, 1916. . Increased capital to 75.000 

January 31st Novelty Design Company 10,000 

July 24th Pye Company 12,000 

May 1 6th Alorris Spirt Company, Inc.. changed from Spirt & 

Amster Company, Inc 30,000 

October 27th Change of name. 

October 29th International Top Company 100,000 

March 6th Rogers & Da\is Company lO.GOo 

February loth Model Laundry, Inc 10,000 

June 5th Standard Wire Die Company 10,000 

December 13, 191 6. . Increased capital to 25,000 

August i8th United States Realty Company, Inc 25,000 

November nth Welfare Co-operative Society, Inc., ciianged from 

Waterbury Co-operative Welfare .Society, 

Incorporated 2,500 

April 24, 1916 Change of name. 

July 24th United Advertising Company 10.000 

February i6th W'aterbury Iron W'orks, Inc 10 000 

January 22nd Bantam Lake Ice Company 50'00o 

December 5th American Laundry Company 5-000 

December loth Charles B. Schoenmehl 300,000 

November i6th A. M. Larson Company 10,000 

1915 

January 15th H. L. Welch Knit Underwear Co. changed from 

H. L. Welch Hosiery Company. 

April 2, 1917 Preliminary dissolution. 

October 29th JefTerson Auto Company $ 50,000 

August 3rd Waterbury Morris Plan Company 100,000 

March 23rd John Moriarty, Incorporated 100,000 

February 3rd Malay-Wilson Company, Inc 50,000 

January 20th Musler & Liebeskind Dry Goods Company 50,000 

December 30th Peters Garage Corporation 10 OOO 

July 17th R. F. Criggs Company 75,ooo 

September 20, 1916. . Increased capital to loo.ooo 

June 30th New York Clothing Company of Waterbury, Inc. . 6.000 

December 6th New England Music Company 2,000 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATL'CK VALLEY :m 

Date of Incorporation Amount 

Octoljer liSth W ate-rbury Cloak iv Suit Manufacturing Company, 

Inc. (Not yet organized) $ 2,000 

April 9th Reiner liros. Company 2,000 

January _'ist R. C. Eield Company changed from ImcW and Eeydt 

Incorporated 50,000 

August 3, 19 lO Change of name. 

April 22nd Safety Eirst Jitney Company 2,000 

October 23rd Waterbury JNletal Wares Company 50,000 

C)ctober 1 itli \ . llohl iJeef & I'rovision Cnmpany 200,000 

December 30th W aterbury Drug Company, Inc. (not _\et organized) 10,000 

April 28th Rose Cluak & Suit Comijany 5,000 

April 26th Waterbury Jitney -Serxice Company (Not yet or- 
ganized) 50,000 

Eebruary 5th Wooster iJillard Compan\' 15,000 

Eebruary loth Waterbury Jewel Company, Inc 50,000 

January 20th Watertown Manufacturing Company 25,000 

Deccml)er ist Waterbury Auttj Radiator Company (Not yet or- 
ganized ) 2,000 

November 15th T. P. Eorman Company ( .\"ot \et organized) 25,000 

November ist Waterbury instrument Company 25,000 

March iSlh Wuudside Reali_\- iK: 1 )e\elnprnent L'iimpan_\' 25.OOO 

Deccniljcr tolli Jacques, .\musement Comp;ui)' 2,000 

March ijlh Rciston ."^hoe Company 15,000 

June iSth I'lUckley Welding Com[)any I0,000 

Dectiiiber 6th \merican b^astener Cumpanx- 24,000 



October 27th Italian .\inerican Corporalicm $ 10,000 

September 15th lladley buiniliu'e and t'arpet t'nnipany 35,000 

November 2Sth Increased capital to 50,000 

April 22nd Louis Leventhal iJt Sons, ]ncor]iorated 10,000 

April i8tli Lithuanian Merchandise Corporation 50,000 

October it)th Elite Chiak & Suit Comjiany. Incorporated 10,000 

June 2i)th Simons\ ille Manufacturing C'nmpany 25.000 

July 5th Electric Light, Water i!t Land Company 25.000 

November iiith Macey Hook & Eye Conipanv 5,000 

September 13th Creat Northern Tide \\'ater l.umlier L'om]>any, . . . 50.000 

January 2J. iqij . . . . rreliminarv dissi)lution. 

May 17th Lakewood I'roducing & Exhibiting Corporation. . . 50.000 

October 3rd Somers Company, Inc 50.000 

April loth Russian Cafe Company 5000 

May II th Scenic .\musement Corporation ( not yet organized ) 20,000 

January 31st Waterbury l^.rass & Bronze Company 10,000 

September 14. 1917. . rreliminary dissolution. 

February 14th ^\■ater1lury Press Metal & Tool Company ( Not yet 

organized) 20,000 

March 9th \\'alerbury Pandajis Lunch Ciimiian\- changed from 

W'aterbury T^resto Lunch Comiianv 25,000 

Eebruary 24, 191 7. . , Change of name. 

November 22, 191 7. . Preliminary dissolution. 

February 2nd T^ichards Manufacturing Com|),iny 15,000 



332 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALEEY 

Date of Incorporation Amount 

July Jtli I'erriello Cafe Company $ 5,000 

June lylh Waterbury Tennis Corporation 10,000 

October 24th South Wholesale and Retail Liquor Company 2,000 

September 8th Waterbury Cycle Works, Inc 2,000 

October 4th Waterbury Homes Corporation 100,000 

January 30, 1917. . . . Increased capital to 200,000 

October )6th M. J. Sayles & Compjiny, Inc. (Not yet organized) . 3,000 

November 29th Waterbury Building Company, Inc 2,000 

Eebruary 1st Louis Matzkin, Incorporated 2,000 

October 24tli Jones-Smith Supply Conijiany, Inc 15,000 

August 5th Italian Commercial Corporation 25,000 

August 22nd Cert, of amdt. before organization. 

April 26th Home Building Company 2,000 

October 17th Home Builders' Association, Inc 50,000 

May 27th II. I. Smith Motor Car Company 25,000 

September 1 2th Increased capital to 50,000 

May 25th H. I. Smith Land & Development Company, Incor- 
porated 50,000 

May 1st Mail Publishing Com])any (Xot yet organized) .... 10,000 

February 21st .Apothecaries Hall Company 240,000 

March 2Qth B. & B. Cafe 4,000 

A])ril 22nd Barbara & D'Aurio Company 50,000 

August 23rd Brass City Machinery & Tool Works 5,000 

January 1 2th Bronson & Dennison 5 000 

Augu.st I ith Bryan Mahoney, Inc 2,000 

December ist American Land Company 50,000 

July iSth Hcminway Park, Inc 50,000 

July loth Clark Undertaking Company 5,000 

January 20th Eight Bells Film Com])any 25,000 

May 26th .Xational Manufacturing Company 25,000 

September 13. 191 7. . I'reliminary dissolution. 

1917 

Sejjtembor 25th Electrical Contractors Corporation $ 50,000 

A])ril loth Elinor and Grele Hotel Company 20,000 

April 5th Guaranty Painting and Decorating Com])any, Inc. 2,500 

September 29th H. K. II. Silk Company. W'atertown 2,500,000 

May 25th Grieve, Bisset and Holland, Incorporated 50,000 

January 3rd 1 1. T. Dakin Paper Company 25,000 

August 3rd Henderson Brothers Comjiany 50,000 

June i8th J. \'igcr Company, Inc 5.000 

March 26th Leary The Florist. Incorporated 6,000 

January 31st Ludington IVIachine Company (not yet organized) 350.000 

June I Sth Mattatuck Land Company 50 000 

January Sth Lux Clock Manufacturing Coni]:>any, Inc 50,000 

June 9th M. L. Martus, Inc 50,000 

April 9th ^lanhattan launch Com])any, Inc., changed to 

Delco Lunch Company 50.000 

June 131I1 Change of name. 

February 14th Musler & Liebcskind Clothing Company 50,000 

July 25th Metropolitan Furniture Company, Inc 100,000 



WATEKBURY AND Till': NAUGATUCK VALLEY 



33:5 



Date of Incorp(jratioii 

Ahirch 24th Mill En,t;iiUH'rini;- & (.'ouslruclii)n Ccunpain- S 

(Jc'tubcr 18th ( )ak\illc Drug Cunipauy, VValL'itowii 

January jgth Sachsenhauser's Incorporated 

September J5th L'uited I'.cunomy Lirocery Cumpany 

June 9th Sofus S. I'oulsen, Inc 

September _>oth I'aterson Silk iX: Dress ( loods Stores. Inc 

February ist T. ( i. Smith Cumpany 

November 27tli W'aterbury Comi)any, Incurpdraled 

May 24th White Farm Company ( not yel organized ) 

November 27th 1''. L. Garrigus Conijiany 

March 2gth W bite t 'ity Furrier. Inc 

July 28th W'aterl.ui'v Lumljer Company. Inc 

April 13th W'alerbnry l''astent-r Company 

Jainiary i8lh \\ alcrlmr)' I'l'inisiun Comi)an\-, hic 

No\eml)er 13th . . . AX'aterlsury I'.urial Comprmy ( not yet organized). 

June 15th \\'aterbnr\- Theatre Cum]iany, Inc 

Sejitcmber 27th Waterlmry Insurance Agency Corporation. Inc. 

( not yet organized ) 

Seiitenibcr 22d \rcliie '1'. Jones Company 

March 21st Auto Gas Register Company 

January 17th ...'.... lla}' Colony Development Company 

March Kjtli l'.riHikl\ii I'.atterv Com[)anv 

( )ctober loth b:i)crich & Malm 

.Se]itember 20tli I'.cononu' ( Irocerv Company 

March 23d (Ii.ase Companies, changed from Chase Metal 

Works. 

March 20th \ll)ert cK: Popoa. Inc 

August 2ist Coca-Cola liottling Company (jf Waterbnry 

September i ith Conn. Brass Foundry Compan\- 

March 2d Dneseer Brothers, Inc 



Amount 

100.000 

10,000 

15.000 

30,000 

20,000 

10,000 

25 000 

25,000 

35,000 

25,000 

3.000 

200,000 

25,000 

10,00(5 

5,000 
5 oO(j 

2.200 

10.000 

3aT.ooo 

50,000 

1 5,000 

5,000 
10,000 



3 ,000 
25.000 
10,000 
20,000 



Di.s.soL\'i:r> c<iRpoR.\Tio\s ixcoRroRATiin nuRixr, nil-: pi'rkid nF.Twinrx 

1894 AND 1017 

Incorporations of 18114 Legislated Out of Existence 

Specialty Manufacturing Comji.anv ( W'atertown ) 1905 

River Company 19 13 

Waterbury Hotel Company 1905 

Waterbnry Coffee House Company 1905 

Yeoman's Pharmaceutical Conipany 1905 

Waterbury Women's Exchange Company IQ05 

H. J. Lapalme Company iqo5 

Incorporations of 1895 Legislated Out of Existence 

Washbnrne Manufacturing Company 1905 

Holmes & Bassett Company 1905 

Bernatchez Box Manufacturing Company IQ05 

Incorporations of 1896 Legislated Out of Existence 

Waterbury Wrench Company 1005 

Victor Manufacturing Com])any 1905 

Dews & Weller Company 1005 

Democrat Publishing Company 1905 

Nutmeg Artesian Well Company 1905 



334 WATERBURY AND THE XAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Incorporations of 1897 Legislated Out of Existence 

C. M. Truman Hotel Company 1905 

Spencer & I'ierpont Company 1914 

\V. II. Hoffman Company 1916 

Waterbury Furniture Company 1905 

Manville Brothers Company 1^913 

Waterville Water Company 1905 

Incorporations of 1898 Legislated Out of Existence 

Waterbury Wire Die Company 1916 

Gem Manufacturing Company 1905 

L. M. Sagal Company 1905 

Sellew Wallace Company 19 14 

Waterbury Beef & Provision Company 1905 

Incorporations of 1899 Legislated Out of Existence 

E. H. Towle Company 191 3 

Brook Company 1905 

L. H. Toucey Company 1915 

Mattatuck Drug Company 1905 

Domestic Pie Baking Company, dis. by Court 1905 

Globe Publishing Company 1905 

I Icater Curtiss Company 1905 

Turnbull Company 191 1 

Waterbury Telephone Company 1905 

Incorporations of 1900 Legislated Out of Existence 

C. L. Missel Company ( Watertown) 1913 

City Contracting Company 1905 

Cromwell Electric Company 1905 

Crawford Supply Company 1905 

F. W. Dains Company 1905 

Robbins Forging & Horse Shoeing Com])any 1905 

Waterbury Plumbing & Heating Company 1905 

White-Simmons Company 1905 

Incorporations of 1901 Legislated Out of Existence 

American Cloak & Fur Company 1905 

Hotchkiss Paper Company, Inc 191 3 

Mattatuck Lumber Company, Inc 1905 

Nevcrmyss Fire Extinguisher Company, Inc 1905 

Incorporation of 1902 Legislated Out of Existence 
American Automatic Switch Company, Inc 191 1 

Incorporations of 1903 Legislated Out of Existence 

William T. Disley Company, Inc 191 1 

Queens Land Company, Inc 19^5 

United States Land Corporation 1912 

Waterbury Hardware Company, Tnc 191 1 

Arthur Bradley Company 191 2 

Gagain Livery Stable Company, Inc 1905 

GafTney Jewelry Company, Inc 191 1 

Erdman Manufacturing Corporation 1905 

Jamaica Land Company, Inc 1903 

Quick-O-Manufacturing Company, Inc 19H 



WATERBURY AND THE XAUGATUCK \'ALLEV 335 

Incorporations of 1904 Legislated (Jut of Existence 

Liberty Manufacturing Conii)any I'liJ 

John H. Taylor L'oni]Mny ( W'atertown ) I'lio 

Crescent Meat & Provision Company I'ji i 

Kenvvorthy Engineering & Construction Company "PJ 

F. H. Lewis Company lOH' 

M. J. Ashborn & Company, Lie Kji i 

Waterbury Cigar Company, Inc i<)i i 

Mattatuck Piano Company 1 ij 1 1 

Victor Bernier Corporation Hji i 

Waterbury & Auburndale Land Comiian}', Inc 191 i 

Waterbury Cruciljle Company 191 1 

Incorporations of 1905 Legislated ( )ut of Existence 

Austin & Woodruff Comjiany, Inc 1914 

American Realty Company igoj 

H. J. Lapalme Company I'pi) 

Potter-Foote Paper Conip.iny 1914 

James F. Gaffney & Company, Inc i')\ i 

bid Buxton Distilling Coni])any, Inc lOn 

Waterbury Electric Company, Inc 191 i 

Waterbury Market Comjjany, Inc i<)i i 

Incorporations of 1906 Legislated Out of I'.xistence 

Book Novelty Company, Inc i')i i 

Burnham Specialty Comjany ||)I5 

Buckingham Pharmacy Company 1914 

Brass City Realty Corporation nji'i 

Geo. N. Ells Company 1917 

Metallic Ink Company ■ ') i -2 

:Model Market Company i<)i2 

Bristol Automobile Company 1914 

Risdon Tool Works, Inc iQio 

Swiss Dial Company. Inc i')Tt 

Waterbury Athletic Corporation 191 1 

Waterbury Automobile Company 10 14 

Waterbury Casino Company k)' i 

National Bath Room Fittings Corporation 1014 

Waterbury Tent Company ton 

White Shoe Company 1910 

Incorporations of 1907 Legislated Out of Existence 

Pythian Hall Company of Waterbury, Inc 191 1 

S. & L. Chotzianoff Building Company 191 1 

Waterbury Light & Equipment Company 19T i 

Star Cloak Company 191 1 

Industrial Instrument Company 1915 

Waterbury Land & Construction Company 1914 

Waterbury & New York Real Estate Company 1915 

Incorporations of 1908 Legislated Out of Existence 

American Manufacturing Company, Inc 1016 

Chotzianoff Building Company I9i i 

F. L. Marks & Company, Inc 191 1 

Prospect Manufacturing Company ^9^- 

Spearo Clothing Company ^9^- 



336 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Royal Ink and Bronze Manufacturing Company 1912 

Standard (jauge ilanufacturing Company 1915 

Swenson Grocery Company 191 7 

W. B. S. Automobile Company 191 2 

Waterbury Enamel Company 1916 

Waterbury Investment & Development Comi)any 19 16 

Young Concrete & Construction Company 19 '4 

Incorporations of 1909 Legislated Out of Existence 

Arthur E. Benson, Inc 191 1 

R. R. Harder & Company, Inc 1915 

Waterbury and Mapleton Realty Company 1915 

Waterbury Trotting Association, Incorporated 1912 

Incorporations of 1910 Legislated Out of Existence 

Milwaukee Bottling Company 19 14 

Brass City Manufacturing Company 1915 

August L. Gauthier, Inc 1913 

Holder Manufacturing Company 1915 

Milwaukee Beer Company 1913 

Star Garage Auto Company, Inc 1914 

Standard Safety Pin Company 1914 

Securities Sales Company 191 5 

W. S. Carbcrry Company 191 3 

Waterbury Awning Company 1914 

Incorporations of 1911 Legislated Out of Existence 

Callegaris Building & Improvement Corporation 1917 

Connecticut Bed Spring Company 1913 

Brennan & Kane Company 1915 

Boulevard Company 191 7 

Ideal Specialty Company, Inc 191 2 

McKinney Land & Improvement Company 1914 

Pollak Art Company 1917 

Waterbury Metal Products Company 191 5 

Incorporations of 1912 Legislated Out of Existence 

Ercnch Pharmacy, Inc I9>7 

American Amusement Company, Inc 1914 

Brooklyn Liquor Company 1915 

CofTey's Lunch Corporation 1915 

G. G. Riggs Company 19'^' 

Guarantee Plumbing Company 191 5 

Ideal Building Company 1 9'4 

Hub Hotel Company. .'. 1915 

Waterbury Market Company 1914 

Waterbury Hair Spring Company, Inc 1917 

Watervillc Sales Company I9'4 

Leavitt Department Store, Inc I9' 7 

Peterson & Nichols, Inc 19'5 

Modern Cloak & Suit Company iQLS 

South Dakota Land Corporation 1916 

Naugatuck Valley Coal Company 1015 

Incorporations of 191 3 Legislated Out of Existence 

American Implement Company iqiG 

Bergman Company '9i^ 



WATEKBUm' AM) 11 1 1-". XAL'f iATl'CK \"ALL1'.Y 



■■vr, 



East Side Garage, Incorpuralcd 191 

F. A. Wenzel Cuiiii)any 11J15 

George J. Galley Cniii|iany njiS 

H. G. Miller Company 1915 

Royal Ladies Tailoring (_nnipany, Ine 1917 

Waterbury Wall I'apcr Company V)\>t 

Incorporations of H)i4 Legislated ( )ut of Existence 

American Dial Company 1917 

Connecticut lamch Corp(.iration 1917 

Fashion Shop, Inc 11)17 

Depot Cafe Company Ii)i7 

Lux Clock Company 1916 

Pakville Wagon Works, Inc. ( Watertown I ujih 

P. F. Shea & Company, Inc 1917 

People's Coal Com]Kiny 19 1 7 

Waterbury Amusement tompany 11)17 

Incorporations of 1915 Legislated ( )iil uf I'.xistence 

Standard Realty iK: De\ elnpment (.'"inpany 11)17 

Globe Clothing Company of WaU-rlnirw Inc I<)17 

niSSnl,\ i;0 idKl'uUATlUNS 



The following is a li>t of Waterbury 
and dissolved after that [leriod. 



irporations incor])(irated prior tj.) iS<;4 



DISSol.N i:iJ i\ 



iS(j( 



Incorporaleil 
iSi)3~Globe I'ul 



G.m 



i)iss()L\i:i) IN 11J04 



Incoriiorated 

iSSi) — Seeley & I'phani Cunipany. 



DissoLViai IX 1 90s 



Incorporated 

18S3 — Chadwick P.utter I (ini|i,in\-. 
1883 — Chapman & Arnistr<iiig Mfg. Co 
1876 — People's Coal & Ice (innpany. 
1888— Woodworth & White Company 
1891 — Waterbury Smelting \; Keriiiini 

Company. 
1888— Waterbury Re-cut b'ile Co. 
1884 — W'aterbury One Price Clothins 

Company. 
i8<)2— W.aterbury .Metal Pending Co. 
i8<)3 — Waterbury Spoke & Mandle L"o 
1801 — Waterbury Supply Company. 
1887 — Waterbury Malleable Iron Co. 
1873 — Waterbury Manufacturing Co. 
1869 — Terry Clock Company. 



Incorporated 

1871J — Waterbury .Xeedle Comjiany, 

iSdfi — Waterbury Prick Coni[iany. 

iSi)i — Waterbury Drug Coni])any. 

i88fi — W'aterbury Electric Company. 
; iSi)i — Waterbury Grocery Company. 

1SS3 — Xew England Pox Company. 

1887 — Pearl Lake Manufacturing Co. 
; 1803 — Reed Re-Cut File Com])any. 

1873— Matthews & Stanley Mfg. Co. 

1853 — P)ro\vn & Brothers. 

iN()3 — L. F. Haase Compaii}-. 

i8i;i — Lang Brothers Company. 

i8i)i — Henderson & I'aird Com]);my. 

1S88 — Hillside School Corporation. 

'893 — H. W. Keeler Comjiany. 



338 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 



Incorporated 

878 — Toltec Alining Company. 

88y — Jericho Granite Company. 

868 — A. Burritt Hardware Company. 

852 — Steele & Johnson Mfg. Co. 

877 — Union Brick Company. 

892 — W'aterbury Casting Company. 

891 — Waterbury Amusement Co. 

881 — Old Globe Copper Company. 

885 — ^Waterbury Baseball Company. 

889 — Waterbury Automatic Advertis- 
ing Company. 

852 — -Pickett, Turrcll & Company. 

876 — I'latt Mill Company. 

891 — Plymouth Granite Company. 

8gi — Naugatuck Granite Company. 

882 — Matthews & Willard Company. 

891 — Metal Perforating Company. 

882 — Waterbury I lorse Nail Company. 

888— Waterbury Herald Publishing 
Company. 

844 — Waterbury l-'oundry Company. 

887 — Waterbury Toboggan Company. 

854 — Union Sash & Blind Comjjany. 

864 — Union Spectacle Works. 

865 — United States Button Company. 

889 — Union Electric Company. 

885 — Sleeman Gas Saving Company. 

888 — Republican Printing Company. 



Incorporated 
867 — Hayden & Griggs Mfg. Co. 
885^New England Wochenblatt Co. 
887 — Guadaloujjc Cattle Company. 
881 — Cleveland Cigar Mfg. Co. 
891 — City Drug Company. 
887 — City Drug Store Company. 
893 — City Grocery Company. 
862 — Waterville Knife Co. (Water- 

viUe). 
847 — Waterville Manufacturing Co. 
890 — B. Ball Milk Company. 
866 — Barnard, Son & Company. 
878 — Belmont Silver Mining Co. 
858 — Benedict, Merriman & Company. 
888 — C. E. Conover Company. 
879 — Citizens Gas Light Company. 
867 — Blake, Lamb & Company. 
886 — Globe Curtain Pole Company. 
882 — Garrigus Manufacturing Co. 
882 — Gaylord, Cross & Speirs Co. 
878 — Abbott & Root Brass Company. 
853 — American Hosiery Company. 
878 — Connecticut Arizona Mining Co. 
883 — Deming Machine Company. 
890 — Bradley & llylan Carriage Co. 
883 — Gem Kink Company. 
883 — W'hite Machine Company. 
8 S3 — Cotton Gin Mfg. Co. 



DISSOLVKP li\ 1909 

Incorporated 

1892 — Cross & S])eirs Machine Co. 

DissoLvEn IN 191 1 

Incori)oratcd Incorporated 

1 888— Upson Rogers Company. 1857 — American Suspender Company. 

1884 — Big Rapids Door &• Blind Alfg. 1850 — Detroit & Lake Superior Copper 
Company. Company. 



DissoLVKD i.N igi; 



Incorporated 

1893 — Jackson Print Shop, Inc. 



DISSOLVED IN I9I3 



Incorporated 

1890 — Waterville Cutlery Company. 



DISSOLVKD IN I916 



'Incorporated 
1889 — Scovill & Adams Company. 



Incorporated 

1880 — New England Watch Company. 



ClIAI'll'.R XXIX 

WATERTOVVN AND JTS INDUSTRIES 

1'(iim;i,.\ti(i.\ — ciixTi':NAin^ ci-i.icnR \i inx — ciu'ki iii-.s — sciiodi.s — lii'.raio -ixdus- 
ikiai, ni;\'F.i.(irMi:NT — sim.dii-.ks' md.m'mi.xt — firf, incr akt.m i:.\i- — vii.i.ac.i-: 
1 M i'Uii\ i;mi:\t sm ii;ia — n. a. k. — row .\ oii-ii ials — ci-.xsrs. 

VVatcrtown has made no great stridi's in population (luring; the past (|uarter 
of a century, but its industries ha\e develnjjed in some instances tn larj;e jircj- 
portions and its beautiful liimies, its lung lines of terracei.l lawns, its lineh' kept 
streets, its trees, its public buildings ha\e made it one of the beauty spots (jf 
New England. 

On July lO, I<)l(i. it w.is hduored in the coniiietition fnr the best clean-u|) 
record with .a siKercup, which has this inseiiption : "rresenled tn W'atertown, 
Conn.. July lOth, iijlli, by New b'.ni^Iand Clean-L'i) and l'aint4'i> C'.amp.'iifjn 
Committee for conducting the most efficient clean-up and paint-up campaign of 
any town in New England, having a i)0[iulation of 5,000 or less." 

The town now takes a pride in its high school and si.x other schools, including 
St. John's Parochial School. In addition to these, it is the home of the famous 
Horace D. Taft School, an institution for the education of l)oys. which has just 
been housed in a magnificent new Ijuilding. It has ^i.x churches. ;i hnely con- 
ducted library, a well-managed volunteer lire department and is in every res]iect 
todav a modern and up-to-date New baigland community. 

On June 17, 1880. Watertown celelirated its centenary. It was incDrpor.ated 
in 1780 as an independent town ami n.amed W'atertuwn, the society of .North- 
bury being included until I7ij5. The centenary celeljration w;is ;i nienioralile 
affair. The following is the narrative of the celebration as iirejiared by the 
Daughters of the Revolution: 

"The parade was large and imi)osing. The Putnam Phalanx in their pic- 
turesque 'continental uniforms attracted general attention and elicited rounds of 
ajtplause all along the line. Captains l'>;mnon and Spencer's commands marched 
finely. The fire companies ne\er a|)|K"ared to better advantage, and the Cen- 
tennial Cadets, a conniany of boys, in dark blue uniforms and red sashes, under 
command of Capt. B. Havens lleminway and Lieut. Charles Heminway were a 
striking feature of the procession. The antique part of the parade was a decidedly 
novel one, e\erything pertaining to it savored of 'ye olden time.' The ligures 
'1780' were attached to nearly everything and the exhibition of anti(|ues in the 
Town Hall, now the engine house, was very creditable. Roderick Atwood was 
the patriarch father. The cawalcade was preceded by a man seated astride a 
horse and surrounded by h\c barrels, two on each side and one across the [lommel 
of the saddle, this representing the ride through Watertown in 171)1) of Noble 
Atwood, who, to decide a wager, accomidished this feat. There were old \ehicles 
of every description filled with ladies and gentlemen in continental costumes. 
Nearly everything in this procession was one hundred years old. There was the 
centennial wagon loaned liy I'"lisha Leavenworth and the old gig in which 
Doctor Elton long made his rounds to visit his patients on these hills and in the 

339 



340 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

towns roundabout. The carriage containing Governor Andrews, William E. 
Curtiss, L. W. Cutler, president of the day, and F. J. Kingsbury, was drawn by 
four horses driven by Lyman Norton. The stalT and other visiting guests were 
in carriages. While the procession was in motion the salute of twenty-one guns 
was fired in honor of Governor Andrews. Col. Wm. D. Hotchkiss was chief 
marshal, and his aides w-ere Rev. Charles Croft, Alanson Warner, Merritt Ilemin- 
way, James Wooster, John Gorra, Wm. Munson, Frank Peck, David Woodward 
and Henry Atwood. The procession was reviewed in front of the Warren House 
by Governor Andrews. Hon. Wm. E. Curtiss of New York, whose country 
home is at W'atcrtown, deli\ered the historical address." 

HISTOUV OF IT.S CHURCIllCS 

In the southwest corner of the old cemetery stood the first church of the 
townshi]), a Congregational Church, for the first ecclesiastical society was organ- 
ized soon after the incorporation of the Society of Westbury in 1738. There 
were about three hundred inhabitants in the town when the Rev. John Trumbull 
was invited to take charge of the jiarisli and in 1741 they began to worship in 
the new church structure. 

In 1772, during Mr. Trumbull's pastorate, the second Congregational Church 
building was erected near the site of the present jx^stofifice. It is worthy of 
record that during the first fifty years of American missionary history. Dr. Henry 
DeForest, a member of the Congregational Church of Watertown, went to Syria 
as a missionary. 

In 1834 work was begun upon a new church and this was dedicated on Jan- 
uary 29, 1840, the third Congregational Church to be erected in the town. 
Rev. Uriel L. Gridley, who succeeded Mr. Trumlnill in the pastorate, in 1787, 
remained for thirty-five years as its pastor. ^Vt present Rev. Clarence E. Wells 
is pastor, and the clerk of the church is Charles W. Bidwell. 

The Union Congregational Church at Oakville was organized in 1899. Its 
clerk at present is Roscoe \\\ French, and its treasurer is Bennett F. Ball. 

The Christ Episco])al Church was organized in 1765, and had its first church 
on land southeast of the old cemetery. It was not until April 17, 1787, however, 
that it was able to settle a clergyman in the community at an annual salary, and 
its first selection was Rev. Chauncey Pringle who was satisfied with an annual 
stipend of thirty pounds, to be paid in cattle or produce. The Academy, after- 
wards Christ Church Parish House, was built in 1838 during the final rectorship 
of Dr. Frederick Holcomb. In February, 1896, a new organ was placed at the 
chancel end of the church and many improvements were made. At present 
the rector is Rev. Francis Banks Whitcome, and the secretary is S. McLean 
Buckingham. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Watertown was established in 1800. 
but it was not until 1838 tliat a meeting house was erected, at Strait's Turnpike. 
In 1853 the Methodist Congregation had outgrown the little meeting-house, and 
on the invitation of Gen. Merrit Heminway accepted the use of the ball-room 
at his hotel for Sunday services. On December 13. 1854. however, the Methodist 
Episco]3al Church was dedicated. 

In 1897 the membership of the church had increased to such an extent that 
it became necessary to build a still larger edifice. The money was raised, largely 
through the generosity and influence of Augustus N. Woolson, who purchased 
the old church for $1,000 and removed it and later not alone subscribed to the 
building fund for the church, but gave liberally toward its equipment. The 



WATERBURV AND THE XAL'CATL'CK WXELEV ;M1 

present pastor of the church is ]\ev. Ilcnry D. Trinkes. and Kohcrl j. .Moore is 
the secretary, a position he has held for nearly two decades. 

In 184 1 the first Roman Catholic. Michael Dunn, came to reside in Water- 
town. Three years later he was joined hy Anna Gattney and Patrick Dougherty. 
In 1853, there were a dozen Catholics in the town, comprising the families of 
Patrick Dougherty, Michael Dunn. James Goodsell, John Kane. Robert Torrence 
and John AIcGowan. The first priest who visited W'atertown was the Rev. Mi- 
chael O'Neil of Waterbury. He celebrated Holy Mass at the house of John 
McGowan. In 1877 the site of the present church was purchased, and the erec- 
tion of the edifice began at once. The corner-stone was laid in 1877. On March 
24, 1878, Bishop Galberry dedicated it in honor of St. John the Evangelist. The 
church cost $7,000. Patrick 'Dunnigan and John Kane were the first trustees. 
In 1884, the W'atertown Parish was divided from Thoniaston, with Terryville 
as a mission. Rev. Joseph Fones was the first resident jiriest. He remained 
two years. In 1886 he was succeeded by Rev. James W. Lancaster. Eather 
Lancaster died in iSi:jg. lie was succeeded by Rev. James H. C)'LV)nnell. Father 
O'Donnell reno\ated the church and rectory, laid concrete walks, introduced a 
new heating apjjaratus and electric lights and liquidated the entire debt of the 
parish. He also purchased a cemetery lot at a cost of $700 toward which the 
town donated S.^oo. This cemetery was blessed in iSgO by I'lishop Tiernev and 
named Mount St. James' Cemetery. 

Father John Loftus succeeded leather O'Donnell in ujoj and is still, in 1917. 
in charge of the parish. 

Through the elYorts of Father Lofius, St. John's Parochial School was erected 
in 1907. This is on Main Street, near Woodruff Avenue, and is under the direc- 
tion of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Sister Bernardine, superior. 

St. Mary Magdalene C hurch on Buckingham Street. < )ak\ ille, was tirganized 
August 15, 1902. It is now in charge of Rew John A. C'ondan. 

ITS SCHOOLS 

Until 1883 Watertown was able to accommodate its own jiupils in one school- 
house, to which additions liad been made from time to time. In that year, how- 
ever, it was voted by the district to build a new schoolhouse "upon the present 
school site," and to buy a small piece of land in the rear adjoining the same. They 
were empowered to "move or sell the old schoolhouse, erect a school building, 
grade and finish the same, provided the sum total did not exceed the sum of 
$8,500 which was provided." The building was erected and contained four 
rooms. Additions were made from time to time until there were eight rooms. 
Early in the morning of December 21. i<)o6, the school building and all its con- 
tents were burned. 

On February 4, 1007. the district voted to appropriate $50,000 to erect a 
new school building which should contain twelve rooms. This was confirmed 
March 25, 1907. 

At the present time there are six schools in the jurisdiction of the \\^ater- 
town School Committee, of which Fletcher W. Judson is chairman, Charles W. 
Bidwell is secretary, L. K. Chance, superintendent. The schools are as follows : 
High School with four grades and laboratory ; Baldwin School, eight rooms. 
An addition of four rooms to the South School, Oakville, was completed in 1917 
at a cost of $30,000. This is now a twelve room school, with an attendance of 436. 

The other schools are the Falls Avenue, Guernseytown, Polk. Linfield, Winna- 
maug, and Nova Scotia. Total number enumerated in 1917 was 1,274. 



342 WATERnUR^' AND THE XAUGATUCK X'AELEY 

Horace I). Taft, A. M., brother of former President Tafl, was l)orn in Cin- 
cinnati. Ohio, December 28, 1861. He is a son of Alphonso and Louisa (Torrey) 
Taft. Mr. Taft entered Yale in 1879 and was graduated in the class of 1883. He 
then went abroad with his father, who was at that time minister to Austria, and 
on his return he studied law in Cincinnati and was admitted to the bar in 1885. 
Two years later he was appointed tutor of Latin at Yale. In 1890 he established 
a school at Pelham Manor and three years later he removed his school to Water- 
town and purchased the Warren tlousc, in which to conduct the school. He is 
now in the large new school recently built and opened. The institution is designed 
to lit boys for college and scientific schools and the course of study covers five 
years. Mr. Taft has been very sttccessful in his work, the school making a 
steady growth under his care. 

\V.\TERTOWN LinR.\RV 

The Library Association was formed in 1865, through the energy and in- 
fluence of Reverend Doctor Lewis, rector of Christ Church, who called a meeting 
of those interested in founding a public library. They had little hopes of success, 
but subscriptions were solicited and when an amount was raised sufificient to buy 
500 books and a few magazines, the library was opened in an upper room of the 
old academy. Miss Nancy Bronson was appointed librarian. It remained in 
the academy for about one year, when it was removed to an upper room of the 
store now owned by Francis N. Barton. Ten years later Dr. John DeForest 
donated $5 000 as a perpetual fund, the interest of w^hich should be used for the 
purchasing of books. In 1879 the Legislature ]>assed an act incorporating "the 
Watertown Library Association," making sure its possessions. Four years later 
Benjamin DeForest, brother of Doctor John, gave $15,000 for a library building 
which was completed and ready for occupation the following year. Dr. John 
DeForest then made a second donation of $5,000 and at his death two years later 
he left a legacy of $10,000 more, making in all $20,000 which the library received 
from him. A number of other legacies have been received. 

I-"rom Hon. Leman W. Cutler, who was president of the Library Association 
for many years, $3,000: Caleb T. Hickcox, $800; and Henry Piatt, $500. The 
building is of gray Quincy granite, and is a very attractive piece of architecture. 
The interior is finished in ash. Portraits of Dr. John and Benjamin DeForest, 
and their parents, also Leman W. Cutler and Caleb Hickcox adorn the walls; 
attractive donations have been made by the Sexta Feira Literary Club of the 
"Winged Victory of Samothrace" and a bronze tablet in memory of John Trum- 
bull, poet, who was a native of Watertown. Buell Heminway, president of the 
association, presented a cast of the "Flying Mercury," and a handsome table and 
chairs. Samuel Curtis, a painting of buffaloes, Ijy J. D. Howland. Benjamm 
Del'orest Curtis has given many historical works of great value. 

Miss Nancy Bronson was the efficient librarian for thirty-eight years and six 
months, untiring in her efforts for its growth and prosperity. In 1885 Miss Jennie 
Smith was appointed assistant librarian, as the work had become more than one 
could i^erform. In 1903, Miss Bronson resigned, and Miss Smith was made head 
librarian. 

I NDU STRI .\ L DF. V ELOP M E NT 

The history of the industrial development of Watertown began with its 
pioneers, and was promoted as the settlement grew, and its needs were made 
manifest. 



WATERBURV A\D THE XALKlATrCK X'Arj.I'A' :{4r> 

The M. Heniinway & Sons' Silk Company is one of the largest and best 
known industries in W'atertown. (ien. Merrit Heniinway was the son of John 
and Hannah Thompson Heniinway, of East Haven. He was born March 21, 
1800, and came to Watertnwn at twenty-one years of age. He was clerk for 
James Bishop, who carried on llie mercantile Inisiness in the basement of the 
Bishop Hotel, which stood on the site of the Homer Heniinway residence. Jn 
1822, a company was formed under the firm name of Bishop & tieniinway, and 
continued until 1X42, when .Mr. Heniinway assumed control of the business. 
Later Air. Heniinway tilted u|> ;i building, which is part of the jircsent factory and 
had been occupied by Nathaniel Wlueler, who was engaged at that tiiue as a 
wagon maker, and there began the manufacture of sewing silk in skeins. A few 
years later he formed a joint-stock company, having his four sons and a daughter 
as partners, under the linn name of M. Heniinway & Sons' Silk Company. Mr. 
Heminway was the iirst in this country to spool silk. The first were made to 
hold twelve yards each. After making a small cjuanlily, he took it to Mew York 
for the inspection and approval of the leading New York merchants of that time. 
They were discouraging in their oiiinions, believing it would stretch the silk, 
which would be detrimental, but Air. Heniinway was not a man to be easily dis- 
couraged. He continued to spool the silk. The sales increased and from a small 
force of twelve or fifteen employees, they now numljcr about three hundred in 
all departments. 

In 1917 the M. Heniinway i\; Sons Silk Company w.as ])Urclias(d by Ham- 
mond Knowlton & Company of I'utn.am, Conn., and .after lanuary 2d tlie com- 
pany will be known as the II. K. II. Companv. Its capit.d is $2. -,00.0 mi. 

After the death of General Heniinway, his son ISuell organized a silk com- 
pany in which his son. B. Ilavens Heniinway and Henry Bartlelt were his partners 
under the firm name of The Heniinway & P.arllctt .Silk Co. 

It started business in Se])tenil)er, 1888, and its lirst officers were: Buell 
Eleminway, president and treasurer; H. H. Bartlett, vice jiresidenl ; B. II. Heni- 
inway, secretary. Mr. Bartlett succeeded to the presidency on the death of Air. 
Heniinway, March 6, 191 5, and Howard Chichester, of Xew York, became vice 
president, while B. II. Heniinway remains as secretarv and treasurer, with B. P. 
tludson as assistant secretary and B. II. Ileniinway. Jr., as superintendent. The 
first factory was 40 by fio feet. They employed fifteen peojilc, of whom none 
were paid over $1 per day. the average wage being $5 jier week. They now 
employ 250 and about 65 per cent women, and the girls earn from nine to eighteen 
dollars per week. Alany employes have been with the coni])any twenty-five 
years. A large jiroportion are skilled operati\'es and the conijiany now also 
employs much automatic niachinery that has been developed in W'atertown. The 
present factory is 400 by 60 feet long, three stories in height, of mill construc- 
tion and supidied with sprinkler system. The equipment includes individual 
motors and all the latest improved devices needed in the manufacture of silk 
goods of this character. Eroni the beginning the company manufactured spool, 
embroidery and crochet silks and in ii)i2 ailded silk hosiery. 

In January, 1850, the Watertown Alfg. Company was formed, with a capital 
stock of $,^0,000. to manufacture mouse-traps, umbrella sticks, niachinery. and 
other goods. A. G. Davis was elected president. A. B. Everett, secretary and 
treasurer. A factorv valued at from five to six thousand dollars was built on 
the site of the Jonathan Scott sawmill, then owned and used as a sawmill 1:iy 
Jeremiah Peck, and the bell of the old factory was hung in the tower. 

In 1S61 Everett S: Davis again purchased it and four years later Augustus 
N. Woolson succeeded Mr. Everett and the firm name was changed to Davis & 



344 watekhury axd the xalgatuck \-alley 

Woolson. Mr. Davis built many of the original machines used in the factory. 
Mr. Davis died January i8, 1873, and Mr. Woolson assumed control of the busi- 
ness and continued it for over thirty years. Augustus N. Woolson was a man 
of wonderful energy and ability and soon built up a prosperous business, necessi- 
tating additions to the factory from time to time. Mr. Woolson continued to 
manufacture the mouse-traps, but gave more attention to umbrella and parasol 
trimmings. Henry S. Frost was superintendent during Mr. Woolson's owner- 
ship, and aided the business by his popularity with the employes, as well as in 
reconstructing and building new machines for special purposes. Augustus N. 
Woolson died July 20, 1903. He left the business to his son, James B. Woolson, 
under whose name it still continues. It now manufactures umbrella and parasol 
furniture, brass novelties, runners, notches, caps, case rings, cane and i)arasol 
ferrules. 

THE SOLDIKRS' MONLTMIiNT 

Caleb Hickcox left in his will $3,000 towards a soldiers' monument, to be 
available at the death of Mrs. Hickcox. In 1902, the Soldiers' Monument Asso- 
ciation was organized and a soliciting committee appointed. Of the money 
received, $3,500 was contributed by citizens and friends, and a monument to 
commemorate the memory of the men who gave their lives in their country's 
cause has been erected on the slope opposite the Methodist Church. 

It was formally unveiled in 1907 in the presence of Gen. O. O. Howard. 
Prof. Wm. H. Burr, of Columbia University, and Congressman George L. 
Lilley delivered addresses. The monument was unveiled by Miss Katherine L. 
Barnes, of Watertown. 

A notable event in the history of Watertown was the unveiling on June 3, 
1908, of the Scott Memorial, which was participated in by both the Waterbury 
and Watertown Chapters of the D. A. R. It commemorated "the sufferings and 
tortures inflicted by the Indians upon Jonathan Scott and his wife, Hannah 
Hawks Scott." 

ITS FIRE DEr.\RTMENT 

The Watertown Fire Department was organized May 8, 1894. The number 
of members at that time was about fifty. The iirst officers were : Wm. H. Beers, 
chief engineer; E. W. Wheeler, assistant engineer; John J. Gailey, secretary; 
James B. Woolson, treasurer. The department is divided into two companies, 
called Hook and Ladder, No. i, and Chemical Engine Co., No. i. 

The present apparatus owned by the town is as follows: One combination 
auto-chemical and hose, with equipment; one hook and ladder truck with equip- 
ment ; one hand-drawn chemical of fifty gallons capacity. 

The present active membership of the department is sixty. The fire alarm 
system has been installed in the telephone central office and is directly connected 
with the telephone company's batteries. 

Harry A. Skilton is now chief engineer of the department. 

VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETV 

The Village Improvement Society was organized January 10, 1905. w^ith 
Horace D. Taft as president, Mrs. Mcrritt Heminway as vice president, Mrs. 
Alfred Stephens, secretary, and Charles B. Mattoon, treasurer. Its present officers 
are: President, Robert V. Magee; vice president, Mrs. Merritt Heminway; 
secretary, Harold E. Thompson; treasurer. Earl Hudson. 



WATKRBURV AXD Till': XAU(;ATrCK X'ALl.IA' 345 

The purpose of the society is to beautify and improve the api>earance of tlie 
village, to assist in making sidewalks, in grading and in making any pubHc im- 
provement that will benefit the town or its residents, and to try tu stimukxte a 
spirit of progressiveness in the people. The society lias received the encourage- 
ment of the public and looks for a generous support in coming years. 

U.\U<illTEUS OF TIIK .AMl-lKICAX lUCN { Jl.l 'lln.x 

The Sarah Whitman Trumbull Chapter, D. A. R.. was organized ( )ctober J4, 
1904. State regent, Mrs. Sara T. Kinney, met the twenty charter members at 
"Campsie," the home of Mrs. John A. Ikickingham, and appointed Mrs. jnhn A. 
Buckingham first regent. At a meeting following, Mrs. lluckingham apixiinted 
Mrs. Merritt Heminway, vice regent; Miss Cornelia B. Ilotchkiss, corresponding 
secretary; Mrs. Francis B. Noble, recording secretary; Mrs. John H. Taylor, 
treasurer; Mrs. Charles B. Mattoon, historian; Mrs. Robert T. Lewis, registrar. 

Its present officers are: Honorary regent, Mrs. John A. Buckingham; regent, 
Mrs. G. H. Decker; corresponding secretary, Mrs. B. H. Heminway; recording 
secretary, Mrs. George N. Griswold; treasurer, Mrs. \L C. I'annie Low; registrar, 
Mrs. H. A. Ashenden ; historian, Miss Marion Sco\ille; auditors. Mrs. James \'<. 
Woolson, Mrs, Charles Kelly. 

TOWN OFFICI.M.S 

Its present officials are: Represenlati\ e to the ( iener;d .\ssenibly, James (1. 
Skilton ; probate judge, Howard M. Hickcox ; clerk and register, Bennett C". 
Atwood; treasurer, Howard M. Hickcox; selectmen, M. E. Brahen, Herbert T. 
Dayton, L. W. DuBois; school committee, A. A. Stone, Ernest K. Loveland, 
Wni. R. Smith, Charles W. Bidwcll, Wm. S. T;iylor, Myron Wheeler. Metcher 
W. Judson, Daniel G, Sullivan, Adolph Recker. 



The population of Watertown by the census of 1910 was ,^,850. By the census 
of 1900 this was 3,100. It is estimated in 191 7 at 4,500. Its grand list this year 
is $4,350,158, an increase of $3,000,000 since 1902. Its total indebtedness is 
$98,152. Its rate of taxation is 15^4 mills. 

Much of its history, particularly that covering its railroads and other public 
utilities, is covered in the chapters devoted to \Vatcrbury, for the two towns are 
closely allied and their interests merge into each other at many points. 



CHAPTER XXX 
WATERP.L'RY'S NEAREST XEIGHPOR 

COLONIAL AND LATER PERIOD EARLY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT THE RUBBER 

industry's begin NINO SCHOOLS CHURCHES IIOVN'ARD VVIIITTEMORE LIBRARY 

— THE BOROUGH GOVERNMENT THE WIIITTEMORE BRIDGE WHITTEMORE GIFTS 

— BANKS PUI'.LIC UTILITIES EIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS — NEW POST 

OFFICE — THE GENERAL WASHINGTON HOUSE THE Y. M. C. A. AND SIMILAR 

INSTITUTIONS. 

Nau^atuck, situated about twenty-five miles north of Xevv Haven and P.ridge- 
port, and the ininiediate neiglibor to the south of Waterbury, is a thriving manu- 
facturing city of over fifteen thousand poi)uIation. Its early industries were 
estabHslied because of the water power furnished by the Naugatuck River, wliich 
stream is now the center of a fine ]jarking and highway system. This, with the 
natural beauty of the valley, makes it one of the beautiful towns of New England. 

It has sixty-six buildings used for mills and manufactures which have a 
valuation of three million dollars. It has nearly two thousand dwellings, many 
of them very beautiful, and with a valuation of three millions. 

It has excellent railroad facilities, having a double track system to Bridge- 
port, known as the Naugatuck division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford 
Railroad, on which a dozen passenger trains each way are available daily, and 
a through express service on this division between New York and Boston is well 
established, its freight facilities are satisfactory, there being freight delivery 
from Xcw York in less than ten hours from time of loading, in normal times. 

Tiic railroad follows the west bank of the Naugatuck River, while the trolley 
has its roadbed on the east bank, and in many cases its course on the hillsides is 
nearly as abmpt as the famous gorge ride of Niagara Falls. Trolley connections 
can be made to all parts of the state, as far as Boston to the north and New Y''ork 
to the south. 

Naugatuck is one of the younger towns of the state, having been set off from 
Waterbury in 1844. incorporated in 1893 as a borough, which in 1895 was con- 
solidated with the town government. Its growth of population shows a most 
healthy condition. The official census of 1890 showed a population of 6.218; 
in 1900 a population of 10.541. and today it is estimated at about 15.000. 

Naugatuck is the home of the rubber industn', and more rubber shoes and 
boots are made here than anywhere in the United States, the combined capacity of 
its plants being more than sixty thousalid pairs daily. Its banking facilities are 
excellent. Its city water supply consists of four storage and one distributing 
reservoirs, having a total capacity of 150.000.000 gallons. Owing to the physical 
contpur of the surrounding countrv- the gravity system is used, and at the lowest 
point the i^ressure is over one hundred pounds. In addition, an auxiliary pump- 
ing station is maintained, should a prolonged drought or accident occasion its use. 

Naugatuck has a most efiRcicnt fire department. All the factories have 
auxiliary protection, and the great pumps not only protect their own property, but 

346 




I .M\ X IIAI.I., XArCA'I'ICK 



WATICRLIUKV AXl) THE NALUiATL'CK \'ALLI':V 347 

i.-oul(l als(j l.)L' u^cd as an aid lu the local (k'liartnu'nt should an enu-rijincN' dcciir. 
Its schdol systL-ni is inisuri>assed. This consists (jf IwcKc i;railcd schools and one 
high school, situated at convenient places and reproentiny an in\estnient of nearly 
a million dollars. 

The Congregational Church represents a?i in\e-.tnient of more than one hun- 
dred anil fifty thousand ilollars, including tin- parish house and the parsijnage. 
The St. iM'ancis Roman Catholic Cluu'ch, with its school ami iiarson.ige, repre- 
sents fully as much, and Xaugatuck has one of the finest pnlilu- lihraries ui the 
State. 

The work of enlarging the various industrial estalilishnients of Xaugatuck has 
been particularly heavy during the jiast eighteen mouths, the pr(j>perity of the 
country reflecting itself in vast manufacturing additioris. 

The Goodyear ]Metallic Rubljer Shoe Company has completed its new manu- 
facturing building, which is a fi\e---tory striuture, i _'o by 55, and will iucreise 
the capacity by 2,000 pairs d,iil_\-. adding _'0o workers to the p.ay roll, hurther 
imjirovcments are also jjkanned. 

The ( iootlve.ar Indi.i Ruhher ("dove ('om])any h;is its pLins completed for 
replacing the old mill with a new building. 

The Diuiham llosiery Company has made alterations which enabled it to 
increase greatly its capacity, hut the limit has again been reached, and the erection 
of a large building is in contemplation. 

The Rubber Regenerating Com|)<any li.as just added :i tbree-st<iry building, 
300 by 70. to its plant. 

The Xaugatuck Chemical Conipanv is planning sever.al new structures. 

The Ivisdon Tool and Machine Comjiany has greatly increased its capacity 
with additions. 

The Eastern Malleable Iron Com|iany has important .additiijus ,and changes 
under consideration. 

The new Tuttle home will be a beautiftd .addition to the residenli.d section 
of Xaugatuck. 

HISTORY injO.M IDLOXI.M, I'l.KIOD 

In his v.alu.ible historv of W'aterbury. Dr. Joseph .\ndersou has the following 
explanation of the deri\ation an<l meaning of the word "Xaugatuck": 

"The name 'Xaugatuck,' which appears in the Paugasuck deed as the estab- 
lished designation of the Mattatuck River, was originally used in a very restricted 
sense, but is now the most frefpientlv nientioneil and most widely known of all 
the aboriginal names in the vallev. The first instance of its occurrence is in the 
Records of the jurisdiction of Xew Haven for 'Way 2'. ifi57. .\mong the condi- 
tions proposed bv the inhabitants of I'augasuck. upon which they were willing 
to 'submit themselves to the jurisdiction.' the first was in these words: 'That they 
have lilicrty to l)uy the Indians' land, behind them, that is over Xaugatuck River, 
and not toward Xew Tlaven bounds, and also above them northward, up into 
the country.' In a deed to Thomas Wheeler, the same year, the name occurs 
again ; and again in a deed to Joseph Hawdey and Henrv- Tomlinson. of Stratford, 
August 16, 1668. and frequently afterward in the Derby records and the colonial 
records of Xew Haven and Connecticut. This was the name by which the river 
was known in the lower part of the valley. Yet in a report made to the <".eneral 
Court by a Derby and M.attatuck committee, in May. UtSo. it is designated once as 
'Mattatuck River' and twice as the 'Xaugatuck or IMattatuck.' \\'hen the |)lanta- 
tion of Mattatuck became the Town of Waterbury, the name Waterbury was also 



348 ^^■ATERRURY AND THE NAUGATLCK \' ALLEY 

api)!icd to the river, but did not retain its hold upon it. Of course, it is impossible 
to say at what date the name 'Xaugatuck' achieved a complete victory, but it 
ai)pears to have had the field to itself for more than a hundred years past. Being 
used to designate the river, it came to be applied as a matter of course to the 
valley through which the river flows. 

"This was the only use of the name until 1844, when it was adopted as the 
name of the new town. At the May session of the General Assembly in that year, 
that part of Waterbury embraced within the society of Salem, with portions of 
Bethany and Oxford, was 'incorporated as a distinct town, by the name of Nauga- 
tui-k.' -A. year later (May, 1845), the Legislature incorporated 'The Naugatuck 
Railroad Company,' and from that time the old aboriginal name became a house- 
hold word to thousands who might not otherwise have known it." 

As regards the meaning of this name, the traditional derivation is given in 
Doctor Bronson's "History of Waterbury." Xaukotunk, the original form of the 
word, is there said to mean "one large tree," and to have been the original name 
of Humphreysville (now Seymour), which was so called from a large tree for- 
merly standing near Rock Rimmon at Seymour. The same derivation is given 
in a letter from Stiles French of Northampton, Mass., formerly of Seymour, 
who received it from the Rev. Smith Dayton, whose authority was Eunice 
Mauwec, the daughter of "Chuce." Mr. French says : "She told Mr. Dayton 
that the name Naugatuck meant 'one big tree,' and was pronounced by the Indians 
Naw-ka-tunk. This 'one big tree' stood about where the copper works in Sey- 
mour now are, and afforded the Indians a shade when they came to the Rimmon 
falls to fish." This tradition is apparently direct and authentic. 

In a Derby deed, dated April 22, 1678, "the fishing place at Naugatuck" is 
definitely mentioned ; and there can be no doubt that this ancient "Naugatuck," 
which gave the river its name, was at or near the spot where Seymour now 
stands. But it is quite as likely to have been designated the "fishing place at the 
bend in the river," as "the fishing place at the one tree." \\'hen "Chuce" went 
there, with his band, about 1720, it was the only piece of land in the Town of 
Derby which the Indians had not sold. Because of its value as a "fishing place" 
they clung to it to the last. 

There is authentic evidence that the first white settler on the present site of 
Naugatuck was Samuel Hickcox, who on December 21, 1702, moved into the 
liome he had built on what was then part of Jtidd's Meadows. Doctor Anderson 
thus relates the first occupation of the valley : 

"Judd's Meadows extended from Derby line to the upper limits of the valleys 
of Hop lirook and Fulling Mill Brook. 

"The earliest known occupation of the meadows and u]>Iands by the planters 
was for the use of their cattle. This information comes through grants that were 
made, some of which remain of record. In 1699 Abraham Andrews received one 
'on the brook that runs through Benjamin Barnes's yard.' This was neither a 
'door-yard' nor a yard for drying cloth, but an enclosure for cattle, designed 
to keep them in safety from wolves or other wild animals at night during the 
season of pasturage, a herdsman attending them during the day. The brook that 
ran through Benjamin Barnes's yard is that now insignificant stream along which 
the highway winds from Union City to the railway station. 

"This region was subdivided by the English into meadows that were owned 
by certain of the proprietors, as Andrews's meadow at Union City, west of the 
river, Welton's lot up Hop Brook under the hills just above Andrews's Meadow, 
the Deacon's meadow at the upper part of the Naugatuck village and extending 
down to, if not below, the bridge. All of the above were on the west side of the 




I'HOKMX Hll'.HKK SIKIK KA( 'I'l Un , NArCATlC K 




(:(i(ji)VKAi: MKTAi.i.ic i:i r.r.Ki: sikh; ((l^ll•A^^. naicaii ik 



WATERBURV AND THE XAI-(;ATL'CK \'ALLEY . 349 

river. On the cast side, aeross the highway from (jrnve Cemetery ( which is in 
W'eeohemeas ), lay 'I'.en Jones's' lot. llici-;eo\ nu-adow was north of the river 
at the liend near tlie "( )ld Canoe I'lace.' .\bii\e the burying-yard of 1709 was 
Thomas Warner's allotment. The miller, John Hopkins, obtained his portion of 
meadow at the lower extremity of the \alley in the midst of a section of country 
naturally adapted to the raising of rye. an industry which at a later day became 
a leading specialty in that region, kilns being erected for drying the grain for 
shipment to foreign countries. I'eing near New- Haven, the principal shipping 
port, the naturally superior lands in that vicinity were reckoned among the most 
xaluable in the townshij) for that purpose, and were appraised 140 years ago for 
more than their market value at the present time, that is, the river lands and 
those immediately adjacent, just aliove the straits. From the rapid and extensive 
spread of the landed possessions of the Mopkins and the Lewis families in all 
the region round about, the raising of rye must ha\e proved a lucrative liusiness 
in those days." 

In Naugatuck the lirst burial was cninlncted in 17(11). in what was afterward 
designated as Pine Hill Grave ^';l^l. n^w known as the ".\ncient Cemetery," 
between Main and Oak streets. In 1705 a small lot was set aside in the section 
now known as Hillside Cemetery, and the first interment was made in that year. 
The Grove Ccnieterv Association was organized November 8. iSSfi, and incor- 
porated in J;nniary. 18S7. 

N'augatuck was an integral ]iart of Waterbury until 1844, and was known by 
the name of Salem or .Salem I'.ridge. For all but corporate ])Urposes, the latter 
name was used. Thus the .^aleni Ecclesiastical Society was organized in 177,^. the 
church was organized in 1781, the building erected in I78_', and the lirst regular 
pastor. Rev. .Abram Eowler, took charge of the parish in 1785. The name of 
Naugatuck for this section of what was Waterbury did not come intci general use 
until iSoo. 

IL.\RLV INDfSTUl.\L nF.\'t:i.l )PM KNT 

The lirst industrial plant cT which there is any record was a carding or fulling 
mill, which llourished in 1710 on (ireat Ilrook. 

The first instance of the Xaugatuck River being dammed was in 1824. The 
power thus generated was ap])lied to pioneer machinerv used for the manufacture 
of gilt buttons. Later this power was used for the making of clocks, the oper- 
ating of carding machinery, and so forth. 

The largest industry in Xaugatuck has always been, as it is now, the rubber 
working enterprises which keep so many thousands of Xaugatuck citizens em- 
plo_\-ed and Ijusy. This had its start in 1843, shorth- before the incorporation of 
the town. 

Here one must turn to the author of Xaugatuck's fortunes, Charles (loodyear, 
the inventor of the process for \ulcanizing India rubljer, and his connection with 
the great ruliber industry here. 

Charles Goodyear was born in Xew Haven, December 2(), i8iX). When he 
was still a child, his parents remo\ed to Xaugatuck, and it was here th.it he 
received his early education and grew to manhood. On August J4. 1824, he 
married Miss Clarissa Reecher, daughter of Daniel Reecher. a leading citizen of 
Naugatuck. At the age of twenty-one he became associated in business with his 
father, Amasa Goodyear, who was possessed of inventive ability and who was a 
manufacturer of buttons and hardware specialties. 

It was in his father's facton,', no doubt, that his inherited talent for invention 
developed. 



350 WATER t;URY AND THE XAUGATUCK \- ALLEY 

Charles Goodyear was the first to see the possibihties of India rubber as a 
commercial substance if it could I)e hardened. Before his discovery of the 
vulcanizing process was perfected, however, he experienced the most pitiful 
poverty. Often without food or clothing for himself and his family, subjected 
to the severest hardships, cast into prison for debt, looked upon as "rubber mad" 
by his friends, he continued his great work, confident that his efforts would be 
crowned with success. 

The story of his discovery is well known. It was one of the simplest and yet 
one of the most useful discoveries which have been made. The history of the 
invention and introduction of vulcanized India rubber overshoes, which originated 
in Naugatuck, in the office of William C. De Forrest, brother-in-law of the 
inventor, is better told by Charles Dei'"orrest, who in a letter to the late W'illiam 
Ward of Naugatuck, related the following: 

"Mr. Goodyear, the inventor, Mr. Milo Lewis, Mr. Samuel H. Lewis and Mr. 
Elliot of New Haven, met in my late father's woolen factory in Naugatuck, Mr. 
(ioodyear having provided the material and lasts for the purpose of vulcanizing 
a rubber shoe on a last. He bad brought with him his eldest daughter, my late 
wife of blessed memory, with materials, and there she made the first pair of 
rubber overshoes, afterward vulcanized in a little shop just above the present 
grand i)lant of The Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company. From this modest 
effort came the great enterprise of millions of pairs yearly. 

"The India rubber shoe interest up to about the year 1850 was the best paying 
license the inventor, Mr. Goodyear, had. At that time my father's advances to 
him were so great that he had to assign. Whereupon the litigation instigated by ' 
one Horace H. Day required eminent coiuisel and a committee of the rubber shoe 
maiuifacturers agreed to pay a retaining fee of 825,000 to the Honorable Daniel 
W'ebster, provided Mr. Goodyear would release to the licensees five-sixths of 
their royalties, namely, from three cents a pair to one-half cent a pair. This Mr. 
Goodyear, under pressure, agreed to. 

"The patent was sustained by the United States courts at Trenton, N. J., and 
Mr. Goodyear gave up five-si.xths of his income from India rubber overshoes. 
Thus comes the establishment of Naugatuck's greatest industry'. 

"We also learn from the correspondence presented by one of our large rubber 
companies that many of Mr. Goodyear's experiments were worked out in Nauga- 
tuck and that Naugatuck's part in assisting him was a most important one." 

THE PKINCIP.M. IXnfSTRtES 

While Naugatuck is chiefly a rubber manufacturing 'community, it also has 
other industries employing several millions of dollars of capital and several thou- 
sand workers. The manufacture of underwear and sweaters plays a large part in 
the liorough industries, as does also the making of specialties in malleable iron. 

Naugatuck's gigantic rubber industry is rejjrcsented by The Goodyear's India 
Rubber Glove Mfg. Co. and The Goodyear's Metallic Rubber Shoe Co., two of 
the borough's largest concerns. Each employs hundreds of workers and the 
output is sold in nearly every part of the world. 

The Goodyear India Rubber Glove Company began business in Litchfield in 
1844, and was brought to Naugatuck in 1847, when it was incorporated under its 
present name. The growth of the company was steady and today the phnt covers 
many acres of land. 

The concern is engaged in the manufacture of gloves, rubber clothing, dress 
shields, nurserj' sheetings and a large variety of druggists' articles. The industry 



WATERMURV A\D THE \AL'(JATL"CK \'ALI.1':V M.-.l 

iiicluilcs three plants and its miplciyees nuinl)fr ninw than J.OOO. It is iiorc tliat 
75 per cent of llie rnhher s,'l(]\es and nn'ttens used in the I'niled Stales are pro- 
duced. Througliout the entire plant is inodein, sanitary and a caii^e fur just pride 
on the piart of Nauijatuck citizens. 

The ])ioneer ccimpany, the Gcjodyear Metallic Ruhher Slme Co.. had small 
he^finniniL^s, hut the plant of today is one of the must nioderu of its kind in the 
world. The c(]inpany is the oldest nianufacturiuL; cnrporatinn in the hon.moh, 
haxint^ heen founded in i^'4,^ Net in the nian\ year-- (if its existence, there ha\e 
heen (jnly six jjresidents, namely, ,'^amuel j. Lewis, the fcimider, lion, j.ames E. 
I'".nt;"lish, George A. Lewis, son of the founder, .Sanniel I', ('olt, lames 1'.. h'onl. .and 
the present executive, V. F. SchaiTer. 

lloth of these factories are owned hy the Lnited .States Ruhher C'ompanv. 
which has also estahlishcd a reclaimint;- plant as .a jiart of its orijanization. Tn it 
modern and sometimes original methods of using waste material are used liy 
Tulward A. Andersen, its manager. Tons .and iniis nf okl ruhher Louts, oxershoes, 
tires, etc., are ground up, treated ,ind turned out as m.irket.ahle ruliher. 

The Xaugatuck Mallealile Inm C'nmp.niy, loi-ale(l at L'ninn t'ilw has one of 
the largest and most modern factcnaes of its kind in the state. .\ specialty is made 
of tires for carriage anil wagon wheels and castings that are used for the manu- 
facture of guns, pistols and other articles that rei|uire tough met.al. It also makes 
a sjjecialty of .shear castings to which steel hlades are welded. 

The husiness was started on the p.artnership plan in iS^S h\ Tuttle M- \\ liitte- 
mure. the latter heing the father nf the president iif toda\'. ILarris W'hittemore. 
Later the firm hecame kmiwn as the TuttleAMiillemnre (Umpanv, and in Julv. 
iS8i), was incorporated as the Xaugatuck Malleahle Imn I'ompaiu'. d'he capacity 
of the plant, which covers six acres, is eight thous.and to ten tlmns.ind tons a year. 

Boxmaking is .inijther rd' Xaugatuck industries, the White iV Wells ('omjiany 
making several th<iusand paper Imxes d.iily. The ruhher factories of the horough 
use most of these boxes for jiacking their goods. The factory is one of the se\eral 
branches of the comjianj' which is a joint stock corporation, organized under Con- 
necticut laws. The business was organized in i!^i|,V 

The Naugatuck Chemical Company is another of Xaui;.iluck"s imhistries. It 
produces chemicals of all sorts, including sulphuric and muriatic acids and other 
heavy chemicals. The products are sold in nearly every corner of the glolic. The 
company was organized and incori)orated in June, 11)04, •i"'' consists of several of 
Xaugatuck's most widely known l.iusiness men under the direction of Limes l'>. 
I'oril, the |>resident. 

The r~)iamond Laboratory, cst.ablisbed in 1S8S. for the manufacture of marsh- 
mallow cream, has 7.500 feet of floor s|iace, modern machinerN', and is a model in 
sanitation. The business is carried on under the direction of Mrs. Id.i F.. Afay. 

The Naugatuck .Manufacturing Com])anv is engaged in the manufacture of 
brass, bronze and .aluminum castings in the rough or llnished. Salesmen scdl their 
])roducts all over the Lnited States. The making of chains is .another br.anch of 
the business. 

The Dunham Hosiery Company was started in iX7() and incorporated under 
its present name in 18S0. The products of the company are hosiery, underwear, 
sweaters and similar articles which are the very best of their ])articul;ir lines. The 
])lant is well fitted and modern in e\ery resjiect. and became very busy soon after 
the outlireak of the European war, owing to large orders received for the .Mlied 
armies. The long-time president of the company. A. C. Dunham, died in 1017. 



352 WATER BURY AXD THE NAUGATL'CK VALLEY 

THE Kl'JililCR INDl-STKV AT BEACON KAIXS 

Rubber marks the beginning of the history of the httlc nearby Town of Beacon 
Falls, from a manufacturing viewpoint. Dating back as early as 1852, the orig- 
inal shop was erected by pioneers of the vicinity for the purpose of manufacturing 
hard rubber goods. The original mill, modern in its time, was operated more or 
less successfully for ten years, or until 1862. 

Among the commodities made of hard rubber were powder flasks, which were 
at that time a necessary part of a hunter's equipment in the charging of the 
muzzle-loading shotgun, also the flint lock musket, which was then still in use. 
Whip sockets and buttons also played an important part in the output of the mill. 

I'ollowing the year 1862 a split in the manageinent occurred and a portion of 
the stock and equipment was moved to College Point, N. Y., and the balance 
to the adjoining \'illage of Seymour. 

From 1864 to 1872 the little mill was ojierated as a shawl factory under the 
name of the Home Woolen Company. When the boys returned from the Civil 
war attired in the army overcoat, the style and idea brought in by the survivors 
of the awful conflict was quickly adopted and shawls for men gradually ceased 
to become an article of dress. 

During the period from 1873 to 1897 the plant was o])crated under several 
names and engaged in the manufacture of several commodities included in the 
cotton, knit and woolen goods line. During 1897 ^n*' i^9^ the mill and many 
of the houses of the village were closed and the windows boarded u]). 

In the fall of 1898 the Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Company was projected and 
organized, the first shoes being made in March, 1899. The personnel of the or- 
ganization at inception was as follows: President, George A. Lewis; vice 
])resident and general manager, .'\dna D. Warner : secretary and treasurer, Tracy 
S. Lewis ; superintendent, Lewis C. Warner ; traffic department, LaVete Warner ; 
general selling agent, A. D. Wentz. The first rubber shoe was manufactured by 
the concern on March 15, 1899, under the immediate supervision of Mr. L. C. 
W'arncr, and also the first jKiir of rubber boots. From that day to the present 
moment, the manufacture of rubber footwear at Beacon Falls has been a con- 
tinuous and growing reality. 

The business enjoyed a healthy growth, and in 1900 a four-story addition, 
50 by 75 feet, was erected. This was followed in 1902 by the erection of another 
addition, Co by 150 feet, and in 1908 a warehouse, 80 by 100 feet. In 191 5 another 
story was added to the warehouse and the whole building stuccoed over. In 
April. i()04, the office and accounting department was badly damaged by fire and 
water, but the records of the plant were found in the vaults in perfect condition, 
permitting the business to continue without interruption or delay. 

In 1909 a storehouse for supplies was constructed, 72 by 42 feet, comprising 
one-story and a basement. In 1915 another story was added. In IQI2 a new 
vulcanizing room. 30 by 50 feet, was built. Following the year 1900 the present 
Boston, New York and Chicago branches were opened, and later incorporated 
under the laws of Massachusetts. New York and Illinois as distributing centers 
for New England, the Middle .\tlantic and Western territories. In 1914, the 
Minneapolis and Kansas City branches were opened and a connection established 
in San Francisco. 

This company, while entirely independent, has always held and enjoyed the 
most pleasant relations with its competitors. Their policy touching the em- 
ployee, the dealer and the consumer, is broad and liberal in business. 

The company maintains a band within its organization which plays selections 



WATERBURV AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 353 

every noon time the year around, in front of the plant, while in the sunmier 
months many concerts are given in the cozy little park fronting on the main 
street, which are thoroughly enjoyed by the townspeople and oftentimes by auto- 
mobile parties from nearby towns. 

The company has built and maintains a moving picture theater, attractive 
in design, for the entertainment of both the employees and the townspeople. The 
building also includes an assembly and dance hall, where the company's employees 
hold many enjoyable parties throughout the year, at low cost. 

The company is interested, at the present time, and good progress is being 
made, in developing a colony of employees owning their own homes in Beacon 
Falls. A comprehensive plan has been worked out by the com[)any's officials 
toward that end. 

THE SCHOOLS OF N.\U(;ATUCK 

<^)ne of Naugatuck's greatest assets is its magnificent school system. Tt is 
interesting to note that the right to establish a free school near the site of Nauga- 
tuck was granted on February 25, 1642. Not until 1730, however, did Water- 
bur\' create a school district in that part of its limits known as Judd's Meadows 
or Salem. 

After May, 1773. the .Salem Society managed the schools witliin its limits 
and its first committee of school directors consisted of Isaac Judd, Terace Terrell 
and Asahel Porter. In 1774 the East side was created one district, the West side 
another. In 1777 the Center School district was established and in 185 1 the latter 
was one of the five districts consolidated under the title L'^nion Center School 
District. 

Naugatuck's school boards began a system of proper housing and of increased 
modern education equipment in 1897 with the opening of the new schoolhouses at 
LTnion City and on Central Avenue, in the Union Center district. With the 
opening of the winter term, in i8<)8. manual training was introduced at the 
Salem school. 

The era of greatest advancement began with the election of the present super- 
intendent of schools, Frank W. Eaton, in 1900. In IQ06 he was elected superin- 
tendent of the schools of the whole borough. 

On May 10, 1905, the new high school, the gift of the late J. H. Whittemore. 
was dedicated with impressive ser^'ices. He had also previously given the 
borough the Salem grade school. His son. Harris Whittemore, has presented the 
borough with the new Hop Brook graded school, which was opened and used in 
1917. 

The following is a summary of the school property : 

High school building, Hillside Avenue : brick, built 1905 ; condition, excellent : 
property of the borough. Valuation of building and grounds, $300,000. Heat, 
steal^^ boiler, furnishing direct and indirect heat regulated by thermostats ; blower 
and exhaust fans, .\ccommodations, nine class rooms. 373 sittings : cooking 
room; sewing room; two manual training rooms: library; commercial room; 
chemical and physical laboratories with recitation room and apparatus room ; 
drawing room; assembly hall, 440 sittings; gymnasium with baths, lockers and 
dressing rooms for boys and girls ; offices. 



354 WATEl^l'.URY AXI) THli XAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Valuation 
District of property 

Union Center, Salem $130,000 

Central Avenue 40,000 

Rubber Avenue 26,000 

I'eebe Street 17,500 

Oak Street 1 8,500 

Union City, Prospect Street 22,000 

I lop Brook 100,000 

^^ilIville 2.500 

Pond Hill 3,500 

Groveside 6.400 

Straitsville 500 

Hisfh School 300,000 

The school attendance is ap])roximately 3.500. 

The Board of Education in kjij is as follows: Thomas M. Bull, president; 
Andrew C. Brennan, Howard L. 1 shell, William Kennedy, secretary, George M. 
Runincy, Henry J. h'recman. 

TiiF. nowAui) wiiiTTi:.Mnui-: mkmouiai. i.ibu.xry 

The Howard Whittcmore Memorial Library, the gift of the late J. H. Whitte- 
more, in memory of his son Howard, is one of the most distinctive of the public 
structures of Naugatuck. Naugatuck's first library was e.stablished by the 
Ecclesiastical Society in 1783, and was known as the "Old Salem" Library. Later 
this was merged into the ''Juvenile Library," and later still it became part of the 
public school library. But the entire project of having a public library finally 
lapsed. 

The gift of the late Mr. W'hittemorc of the new library building coalesced 
the various smaller libraries of the borough and there are now over 10,000 
volumes on its shelves. 

The trustees are Harris Whittemore, C. B. Tuttle. George L. Hinnan. Nils 
Olsen and C. T. McCarthy. The librarian is Miss Esther Goodyear. 

HLSTORv OF n.m;(;/\ti'ck's churciiks 

The cluircii history of Naugatuck dates from that request made to the Gen- 
eral Assembly in 1765 by Stephen Ho])kins and other members of the first 
society in Waterbury "for a winter parish." That it was granted and extended 
is known, but little else is of record save an interesting letter from Nathan Hale, 
in which he says that his health will not permit him to preach at Judd's Meadows. 
This was written in 1770. 

The first society meeting was held on the first Monday in June, \T/Z- Capt. 
Ciideon Hotchkiss was chosen moderator: .'Vshbel Porter, clerk: for society's 
committee, Capt. Gideon Hotchkiss. Capt. John Lewis, Stephen Hopkins, Samuel 
Lewis, Esq., and Capt. Samuel Porter. .At the next meeting, in December, 
Gideon Hickcox, J. I-ewis, Jr.. and John Hopkins were added to the society's 
committee, and a school committee consisting of Isaac Judd, Israel Terrill and 
.\shbel Porter was appointed. 

In 1774, the first attempt to secure stated ministrations of the gospel was 
made. In August. Mr. Remily was invited to preach on probation ; in October, 
Mr. Miles was called for settlement ; in April, 1776, the Rev. Abraham Camp was 




linWAKD W lll'l"l'K.\ln|;K MKMnlMAI. l.li:i;Ai;\. XAI(;ATUCK 




;atj:.\[ school, xauoatuck 



WAl I'.RHUKV AXl") ■nil'. XAL( .ATICK \"ALI.KV Sf).") 

inviti-d (111 prdliatiiin : in Marcli, 1777. tin- \\vv. Mr. Barki-r recci\ cil tlio same 
iiuitation; in January. I7''^i. it was decidnl to t^'nc a call to tin- l\ev. .Mcdad 
Rogers, 

When the site for the iiieetint^diouse came under considcratidii. there was a 
wide difference of opinion as to the ]iroper locatinn. 'l"he territnry now williin 
the Town of I'mspect held a considerahle pro[iortion of the inhahitants uf ilic 
society, wlio naturally wished the meetiiiL^didUse to he as near In iheir hills as 
might he, hut they, like their predecessors in other societies, suhmitled tn arhitra- 
tion The L'nurt's cnmmiltee set the stake high on the hill eastward nf ilu- river, 
on land of (hdecm llickcux. (hi this land, without ha\iiig oht,iine<l a title tn it. 
the meeting-house was huilt hy the church and society. 

This church building remained on the hill forty-nine years. It had ;i hell in 
I7«)4, at which date it was agreed to have the meeting Imusi' liell rung at the cost 
of the societ\- on each ."^undax- f(ir ,il! puhlic meetings which are held at the 
meeting-house, for funerals when desirt'il, .and at nine (i'cloc]< e.ich night. .Satur- 
day nights excepted. 

Abraham Fowler was the first settled minister. He w;is (irdained in the 
meeting-house on the hill, hmu.-iry u, \y><^. and inst.dled nver .1 church (d' thirty- 
one members. He was dismissed March 13. I70<). le.-i\ing .1 church that h;id lost 
at that date hy death, it is helieved, hut fniir of it> 1 _'_> members. 

During the sixt\-tliree \ cars th.at the ."^.-deiii church w.as one nf the churclics 
of W'aterbury it had a settled p.i-tnr but thirty-nine years. It was organized 
wiilidut a pastor; in iNoo it eiiki't lined, .ippareiitly without a jKistdr. the mem- 
bers of the "fonsociatidn nf ihe \\\->iern District of Xew Haven County." con- 
sisting of eleven reverend elders ,nid ten deleg.ates; il ji.assed, witlmut a pastor, 
through the momentous period nf leliginus exciiemeiit ciust-d by the preaching 
of N'ettleton. during which time eii;lity-twn members were received into its fold. 

Changes in the \illage caused the renin\;d of the meeting-house to the site 
now occu]iied. where it w.as rebuilt in iS^i. In 1S54 it was reino\ ed to make 
jilace for a larger edilice, which \\,is dedicatiMl in i!~^55. The first parsonage was 
built in l.'^45. 

In l()00 the Congreg.atinn.al Church decided tn build the magnilicent new 
building wdiich now stands on the site of its old structure. Among the notable 
gifts wdiich made this possible was niie of $40,000 hy the late J, H. \Miitteniore. 
The building was dedicated in loo,^ Its present pastor is the Kev. Phillip C. 
Walcott: clerk, H. A. Dalby ; treasurer, 1'.. X. W'ilmot ; society's clerk, F. 1'.. Rol- 
linson : society's treasurer. II. A. D;dby. 

St, Michael's Protestant Episcopal Parish was formed Feb. 7, 1786. In 1803, 
the ])arish voted to build a church ami the site was selected se\eral miles south- 
west of the Naugatuck \illage. In 1S30 it became evident that the center of 
population would shift frnni the bills to the meadows along the Naugatuck, and 
the meeting-house was moved to a site south of the present Congregational meet- 
ing-house. 

C)n August 15, i.'^7,=;. it was sold to the Naugatuck .School I'oard and re- 
moved to make wav for the new church edifice. In i860 the hrst recfory was 
built. 

The present officers of the church are: Rector. Rev. Philli]> C. Pe.irson; 
senior warden. F. F. Schafi'er: juninr warden. ,A. H, Da\ton : clerk, F.. K, 
Hotchkiss : treasurer. J- ^^'■ Rogers. 

.A class of Methodists was organized at Naugatuck about one hundred years 
ago. Actual meetings were held earlier than that in Union City and Straitsville. 
On luly 30. 1851, a site for a meeting-house was inircbased mi Water Street. 



356 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

A second church huilding was occupied in 1868. In 1886, a site for the present 
Methodist Episcopal Church building was purchased at 204 Meadow Street. 

Its present officers are: Pastor, Rev. A. M. Davidson: clerk, G. L. Hinnan ; 
treasurer, C. W. Ilouseknecht. 

-Among the citizens Hving in the Salem society soon after 1800 were a num- 
ber of Baptists, who first worshipped in the church in Waterbury. In October, 
1817, sixty persons Hving in Salem, Prospect and Bethany were set off from the 
Waterbury society to organize a new church in the localities indicated. Two 
meeting-houses were built, one on Fulling Mill Brook, and by December 22, 1819, 
the second was organized in the Straitsville locality. 

It is the one on Fulling Mill Brook which later became the Naugatuck Baptist 
Church, with a fine church edifice on Prospect Street, in L^nion City. 

The present officers are : Pastor, Rev. John Pounder ; clerk, Emily Killer : 
treasurer, Mrs. Eli Decker. 

The other Protestant churches of Naugatuck are as follows, with date of 
organization, .'\mong these is the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Salem Church, 
who.se church building was erected for them in 1891 through the generosity of 
the late J- H. Whittemore. 

German Evangelical Lutheran Church, 615 High Street. Dedicated 1903. 

Pastor, Rev. Arthur Baum; secretary, Adolph Dillinger; treasurer, Michael Pope. 

St. Paul's Lithuanian Ev. Lutheran Church, Curtiss Street. Organized 

.A.ugust 31, 1903. Pastor, Rev. Ewald Kories; secretary, Edward Hcrmonat ; 

treasurer, Charles Pudem. 

Swedish Congregational Bethany Church, 174 Fairview Avenue. Organized 
February 21, 1894. Pastor, Rev. Frank Sahlin; clerk, Carl Anderson; treasurer, 
Edwin Anderson. 

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Salem Church, organized 1887. Pastor, Rev. 
Carl D. Bostrom: clerk, Alfred Peterson: treasurer, J. Emil Anderson; super- 
intendent of Sunday School, John E. Bohlin ; sexton, N. P. Lindahl. 

St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic parish was constituted in 1866. Some 
time about 1850 the first mass of the Catholic Church in Naugatuck was said 
at the house of Patrick Conran. A mission was soon established and a small 
frame church was erected in 1859. In the course of nine years, the members of 
the mission were enough in number to form a separate parish. It was con- 
stituted in 1866, and Rev. Father Brady became the first resident priest. 

Tlie George Hine place on Church Street was purchased in 1868, as the site 
for the future church property in Naugatuck. Ground was broken April 7, 
1882, for the present fine church edifice on Church Street. The cornerstone was 
laid July 23, 1882, and the building was completed in 1890 at a cost of $ioo,cxx). 
The edifice is purely Gothic and of a cruciform shape. The auditorium .seats 1,200 
I)eople, and, like the large chapel, is finished in oak and walnut. 

St. Francis .Academy was erected immediately after the dedication of the 
church. This was followed by the building of the rectory. Rev. Thomas Carney, 
now pastor, built the beautiful convent, which completes a great square of church 
buildings. He has also been helpful in the establishment of the splendid librar\' 
now owned by the parish. 

The assistant rectors are Rev. Edward Leo Morrison and Rev. M. F. Higgins. 
Saint Hedwig's Polish Roman Catholic Church, at 32 Golden Hill, I'nion 
City, was built in ir)o6. Its rector is Rev. Paul W. Piechocki. 

TITF. ROROUr.II r.OVERNMENT 

The old Salem Parish was incorporated as a town on the petition of William 
DcForrest and others, February 16, 1844. The first officers chosen were as fol- 












;|\ FKAXriS S( IIIKII,. NAICATIH K 




n)X(.'RK(;ATIO\AL (III 111 II AM) PARISH UOfSi:. \ M i. \l I 



W'ATEKBURV AND Tlili NAUGATUCK VALLEY 357 

lows: Clerk, Charles S. Peck; selectmen, Aronson Glover, Enos Usborne, Bur- 
ton Sperry ; treasurer, Isaac S. Johnson ; town agent, Charles Middleton ; tything- 
inen, Francis Webster, Orin ilotchkiss, Monroe Serrells, Enos Hopkins, William 
LL Tomlinson, J. O. Hotchkiss. 

The first regular election was held on the green between the Episcopal and 
Congregational churches in October, 1844, the voters lining up on either side of 
the ballot box, showing which ticket they were favoring. 

The Naugatuck Probate District was created in 18O3. David Smith ser\iag 
six years as its first judge. 

The Town Hall was built in i8Sj, at a cusl of $54,000. The lirsl brid.ge at 
Naugatuck was a little more than one hundred rods al)o\c the iircsent mie. The 
old Salem Bridge was replaced with an iron structure in i.'^S^, and an(]lhrr iron 
bridge was built at Union City in 1891. 

In 1893 the Borough of Naugatuck was created and George D. I'.issell was 
elected the first warden. The following is a complete list of wardens of the 
borough from that date until 1917: 

George D. Bissell 1 X>),]- 1 8(j4 

F. F. Schaffer i8()4-i895 

E. E. Stevens 1895-1896 

E. E. Stevens 1896- 1897 

John J. Gorman 1 897- 1898 

F. F. Schaffer 1898-1903 

John J. Gorman itjo,^- 1904 

W. T. Rodenbach i(;04- 1906 

Harry Roberts iiX'''- 1007 

W. T. Rodenbach 1907- 1<)<>8 

Thomas O'Loughlin 1008-1909 

J. W. Rogers 1009-1910 

Wm. J. Neary Kjio-iou 

A Barton Cross, jr 1912-1914 

Howard B. Tuttle 11114-1017 

Since 1893 the borough government has made a great change in the ].)hysical 
ajjpearance of Naugatuck. A sewerage system is now estalilished. with over four- 
teen miles of pipe laid. In the matter of paving, the borough has been thoroughly 
])rogressive, its latest addition being the comi)letion of the work on Ruljber Avenue. 

The borough and town government for 11)17 '^ ''"^ follows: W;irden, Howard 

B. Tuttle; burgesses, Lewis C. Warner, I'eter Hall, Martin F. O'Brien, Tracy 
North, Eugene Patterson, John F. Maher: borough clerk. I'rank A. Sears; bor- 
ough treasurer, George T. Wigmore ; tax collector, John E. Bohlin ; registrars 
of voters, George P. Young, Hugh Burns; superintendent of poor, William G. 
Hard; superintendent of streets, William H. Moody; borough engineer, George 

C. Ham; judge of borough court, Frank A. Sears; deputy judge, Joseph J. Hall; 
l)rosecuting attorney. Claremont L Tolles ; clerk of court, Walter E. Brown ; 
auditors. Victor N. Peterson. Edward J. Welch ; selectmen. Charles ( ). Fellows. 
Frank Arendholz, Timothy Fitzgerald ; town clerk. Joshua W. Rogers ; justices 
of the peace, John E. Bohlin, Hugh W. Burns, Robert W. Dibble. Henry J- Free- 
man. Thomas F. Glynn. Clayton L. Klein. Martin F. O'Brien. C. Henrs' Squire, 
Claremont L Tolles. 

THE WIITTTEMORI-: lUUlX^K 

With simple but impressive ceremonies, and in the presence nf several thou- 
?and people gathered together to honor the memory of N;nigatuck"s greatest 



358 WATKRBUKY .\.\1> THE XAI'CIATUCK \-ALLEY 

benefactor and public-spirited citizen, the handsome and imposing structure 
wliich will forever be known as the John Howard Whittemorc Memorial Bridge, 
spanning the X'augatuck River on Maple Street, was dedicated May 30, 1914. It 
was one of the most important and interesting events in the history of the 
borough and was a most touching and affectionate tribute on the part of a grateful 
aiu! appreciative public to an esteemed citizen, who did so much for Naugatuck. 

John Howard Whittemore died at Xaugatuck, ]May 28, 1910. On July i, 
1910, a committee was appointed "for the purpose of designing, establishing and 
placing a suitable memorial in the Borough of Xaugatuck, to perpetuate his name 
and memory." 

On July I, 1910, a mass meeting of the people was held and at the meeting 
the following vote was passed : 

"That a committee of eleven be appointed to make all arrangements for and 
to do whatever is necessary in collecting a fund, designating, establishing and 
placing a suitable memorial in the ISorough of Xaugatuck to ])erpetuate forever 
the name and memory of John Howard Whittemore." 

In accordance with that vote the following committee was appointed : How- 
ard B. Tuttle, Miss Josephine A. Maher, William Kennedy, William T. Roden- 
bach, Harry 1. Crampton, Samuel E. Hojikins, Mrs. George A. Lewis, Eremont 
W. Tolles. Carl W. Thompson, E. E. Schaft'er, Charles T. McCarthy. Later the 
following were added: William J. Xeary, A. B. Cross, Jr., George C. Ham. 

The memorial tablet was unveiled by Gertrude Whittemore, daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Harris Whittemore, a granddauglUer of the man to whose memory 
the bridge was erected. 

Mrs. lironson 15. Tuttle, widow of Bronson B. Tuttle who in life had been 
for many years a business associate of Mr. Whittemore. made the suggestion 
that as Mr. Whittemore's gifts were always of a practical character, the 
memorial should be one which, while adding to the beauty of the borough's 
environment, should also be of the greatest use to the community, and as the old 
i-on bridge over the Xaugatuck Ri\er on Ma])le Street, between Water and Main 
streets, was becoming unsafe and would have to be rei)laced within a short time, 
she suggested that a beautiful bridge at this point would till all the artistic and 
practical requirements of a suitable memorial. 

The idea met with approval and a sub-committee was a])pointed to take 
charge of the construction, consisting of Samuel E. Hopkins, Howard B. Tuttle, 
and William J. Near)'. The architect was ITenrv' I'jacon, of New York City, one 
of the country's foremost bridge designers. The general contract for building 
was given to the Tidewater Building Company of New York City, a company 
with whose operations Mr. Whittemore had in life been long identified. The 
su!)-contractors were Charles I''. Parsons Co., of Xew Y'ork City, and Thomas 
E. Jackson, of Waterbury, and the superintendent in charge of construction was 
Claude Wilson. 

W'ork was begun on June in, 1912. the first abutment being started July i, 
1912, and the first stone laid August i. 1912. The north side of the bridge, it 
being built in sections, was opened on December 13, 1912. The old iron bridge 
was removed Eebruary 5. 1913, and the piers and abutments were completed 
May 5, i<)i3. 

The south side was completed about Sei^tembcr I, I91,S. :iiicl opened about 
.September 10th of the same year. 

TIIK WIIITTKMORE GIFTS 

On Mav 28. 1910. John Howard Whittemore, Naugatuck's foremost citizen 
and ])rincipal benefactor, succumbed to death. Elags were hung at half mast on 



WATF.RRUR^' AXT) THF .\".\L"( iATl'c K X'AI.I.FA' 3r)9 

many l)uililiii,£;s and on many ]iri\atc residences, as a token of a]iprecialion of a 
noble citizen and as an (.■x|iiessiiin of regret at his unexpected death. The serv- 
ices followed two days later, the most inii)ressi\c ever held in the borough's 
liistory. 

.\angatuck. ;is it .iiiiie.-irs today, is l.irgeK' a monument to his inemor\-. It 
was tbrouL;h bis i-tTort^ lh.it the present ])assenger si.ition \\;is secure<l for the 
horougb, Mr. W'hittcmore using his inllueui-e .as ,i director of the New N'ork. 
\e\v lla\en tv ll.irtford I\,iilro.id to obtain tin- st.ition and .allied improvements. 
i)ther reasons for bis being remembered m .X.iugalnck arc the iloward W bitte- 
inore Memorial l,ilirar\. du- Public I'ark .and .Soldiers' Monument, the X.iug.a- 
luck Coif (dubhouse. (be Public I'lay^round on .Mead.iw .^treel. the Salem School, 
and the X.iug.ituck High School, which were all either provided by Mr. Whitle- 
more or obtained through bis efT(jrts. 

Xumerous X.iug.ituck enterprises owe(l to Mr. W'bittcmore their success, iiis 
knowledge of affairs making bis advice invahiable. In public aflairs he was ;i 
v.alu.able ;iiil to the ])rogress of the bin'ougb. 

Mr. Wbitlemore w.is born in Southburv ( iclober _:;. iS:;-. He .attended the 
]>liblic schools there until be was ten ve.ars old. when be became .a |iupil of the 
C'ollegi.atc .and t'ommercial Institute of ( ien. William II. K'ussell. in Xew lla\en. 
lie h.id intended to enter ^'ale. but cin nmst.anccs |)re\eiiled him from taking 
the intended course. 

.Mr. \\'hillemore"s career was eiuirelv commerci.d until the time he came to 
.X.augatuck .and entered ihe emplo\ of F.. (_'. 'lultlc X- Co.. m.inuf.aclurers of f.arni 
tools, rcni.aining with them until thcv wi're burned out in July. iSvS A tew 
months later he formed a partnership under the uam<- of I'nitlc \- W'bitteinore 
to produce malleable iron. The firm continued until iS-o. when it w.as orL,'anized 
as a joint stock corpor.ation under the name of Tullle \ \\ hittemorc ( 'o.. ,ind 
ten years lati'r .as the X.augatuck M.illeahle Iron Coni|'.iny. ( )ther ni.allcable iron 
companies were organized in v.arious parts of the Cnited .States, .all rem.aining 
under the control of the X.auL'atuck concern. 

He was a dirt'ctor of the Colonial l^atst Company of W.aterburv, .and was at 
one time jiresident of ibe insiiiulion. He was a director of the W'aterbnry Hos- 
pital: of Landers. iM-.arv \- t l.ark. of Xew I'.ritain : of X'ortb \- Judd. Xew 
r>ritain. .and w:is one of the incor]ior,ators id' the X.aug.atuck S.avings JK-uik. 

In private life Mr. \\'bittemore was nnostent.atious. While he entertained 
freelv, bis entertainments were simple. 

Manv of his jirivate gifts will rem.ain unknown sa\e to the recipients, for 
Mr. Whittemore seldom gave publicity to bis myriad he(|uesls. 

Publiclv and prixatelv he was always giving. Thus he had gr.aded and ke]>t 
in repair the seven miles of macadam roaclway leading to ItIs country home at 
Midflleburv. He built the granite retaining wall along Hillside Cemetery. Ik- 
it was who had 7.,si)0 beautiful shrubs planted along both banks of the X'auga- 
tuck from the freieht house to the station. He used his vast fortune very 
largely for the benefit of his home town and rlid not confine liis gifts to X'auga- 
tuck. He built, at a cost of isJsO.ooo. the beautiful Buckingham Music Hall 
r.lock, in Waterburv. and later gave it to the Waterhury Hospital as an endow- 
ment. 

N.vro.vTucK's n.vxKs 

Naug.atuck has two excellent banks. The Naugattick X'.ational Hank, founded 
in il^!^.^. has a ca]iital stock of S^ioonno. with surplus and prolits $ji 5.0110. Its 
deposits, early in 11)17, were $Soo,ooo. 



360 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Its present officers and directors are: Fremont W. Tolles, president; Arthur 
H. Dayton, cashier; Howard B. Tuttle, vice president; George M. Rumney, 
assistant cashier; George T. Wigmore, assistant cashier; directors, A. H. Day- 
ton, S. E. Hopkins, Fremont W. Tolles, Howard B. Tuttle, Dwight 1'. Mills, 
Tracy S. Lewis. 

The Naugatuck Savings Bank was founded in 1870 by the following incor- 
porators: A. J. Pickett, Hiel S. Stevens, John A. Peck, John H. Whittemore, 
George A. Lewis, Homer Twitchell, John L. Isbell, B. M. Hotchkiss, Francis 
Spencer, David Smith, Samuel Hopkins, Bronson B. Tuttle, Calvin A. Hotch- 
kiss, Lucian D. Warner, Luther S. Piatt. 

In its report, October i, 1916, its deposits were shown to be $2,994,380. it 
has on its books the names of 7,970 depositors, a gain in 1916 of 692. Its loans 
on real estate, mostly in Naugatuck and vicinity, total $1,395,094. 

Its present officers are as follows : L. S. Beardsley, president ; W. T. Roden- 
bach, E. E. Hotchkiss, vice presidents: Arthur H. Dayton, secretary; H. A. 
Dalby, treasurer; trustees, D. P. Mills, T. M. Bull, L. C. Warner, F. W. Tolles, 
Harris Whittemore. 

THE PUBLIC UTILITIES 

The Naugatuck Water Company was organized May 19, 1887. Its first offi- 
cers were : Homer Twitchell, president ; Seabury S. Scott, secretary and treas- 
urer; Thomas Conran, Adna D. Warner, Dr. F. B. Tuttle and B. B. Tuttle. 
directors. Mr. Twitchell served as president until 1890 and was succeeded by 
Dr. F. B. Tuttle. Other presidents in succession have been Willard Hopkins, 
A. D. Warner, William Ward and D. P. Mills, the last named holding the position 
at the present time. 

In 1890, Mr. Scott resigned as secretary and treasurer, and in May, of that 
year, E. C. Barnum was called to the position and has continued to the present 
time. 

The water was turned into the mains in the fall of 1889. It is obtained from 
six different reservoirs: Mulberry Hill, with a capacity of 10,000,000 gallons; 
Candee Reservoir, with a capacity of 5,000,000 gallons; Prospect Storage, with 
a capacity of 110,000,000 gallons; Long Hill Brook Reservoir, with a capacity 
of 1,500,000 gallons; the Straitsville Distributing Reser^-oir, with a capacity of 
7,000,000 gallons; Long Hill Brook Storage Reservoir, with a capacity of 500,- 
000,000 gallons. 

There is a total storage capacity of 630,000,000 gallons of pure drinking 
water, which is analyzed every month in the year. 

The plant develops pressure of from no to 150 pounds, has 41 miles of 
4-inch pipe or less, has 145 double and 2 single hydrants in use in Naugatuck 
by the borough and 58 double and 3 single hydrants used by private companies. 
The secretary issues an annual report to the directors and stockholders which 
shows the company in excellent condition. 

The Naugatuck Telephone Company was organized in 1870 and in 1017 had 
over two thousand telephones in use. 

The Naugatuck Electric Light Co. was chartered April 16. 1887. Its first 
directors were L. D. Warner, A. H. Dayton, O. M. Young, B. B. Tuttle, E. H. 
Warrington, F. W. Tolles. On June i, 1887, the first arc light was successfully 
illuminated in Naugatuck. The system is today operated by the United Electric 
Light & Water Company. 

In 1862 The Naugatuck Gas Company was estalilishcd. Init this existed only 



WATERBURY AND THE XAUGATUCK VALLEY ''.(il 

a few years, although service had heen extended to tlie princiiJal streets of tlic 
town. Gas is now suppHed from Waterbury. 

THF-: KIRF. AND POr.ICF, DF.l'ART.M ICNTS 

Naugatuck's Fire Department history begins in 1882. when George M. Aller- 
ton, then president of The Glove Company, organized a volunteer company. The 
organization was completed on February (>, 1893, as a company to protect the 
Goodyear India Rubber Glove Company's property and adjacent territory. 

-At the meeting at this time Robert M. Morse was elected as engineer chief. 
Isaac A. Moorse was elected as first assistant engineer, and Edward IT. Jones 
second assistant engineer, and other officers elected were as follows: William H 
Vreedenburgh, foreman ; J. L. Chevalier, first assistant foreman : Andrew Wylie. 
second assistant foreman; 1. .A. Moorse, secretary; and John Trestrail, treasurer. 

The twenty-three men in the original company were employes of the glove 
concern and the red shirt that formed a part of their uniform carried the com- 
pany's trade mark across the breast. The organization was known as "Glove 
Co. Hose No. i," and their ajiparatus consisted of a jumper and about fifty feet 
of hose. 

The town authorities established the Naugatuck b'ire I^eiKirtmcnt after the 
glove concern turned the apparatus over to the town in i8<)o. At that time it 
numbered thirty-five men. The company then became known as the Naugatuck 
Hose No. I, and the force was increased to sixty-five men. The first building for 
the department was on Water .Street, which was formallv occupied March 15, 
1892. 

On September 4, i8i)(). the brick hose house in L'liion City was opened by the 
departinent with a parade in which twenty-two \isiting companies with about 
one thousand men were in line. -\ huge tent w.is pitched on the green and dinner 
was served ainid a general frolic. 

Today the department numbers about one hundred men and is e(|ui])|)ed with 
the most modern automobile apparatus. Two fire houses, one on .Maple Street, 
and the other in L^nion City, furnish ([uarters for the department's men and 
apparatus, with the entire department under the direction of Chief Engineer 
George Hoadley. 

The police department had its inception wlien the act (if the General .\ssembly 
established the Borough of Naugatuck in 1802. .\t this time the liorough charter 
limited the size of the police force to twenty-fi\e men. the same number which is 
today policing the borough. 

The act gives the warden and burgesses the power to appoint men u[> to this 
limit and no more. Should the borough find more jiolice necessary, it would l)e 
necessary to have a special amendment to the Ijoroiigh charter passed b\' the 
Legislature. 

The department is under the supervision of Chief J. P>. Schmidt, and the 
force is divided among regular policemen and those assigned to special work. 

NAI_ir,ATtICK"s NEW POSTOFFICE 

It took the United States a long time to recognize Naugatuck a> the name of 
the postoffice of the borough.* When it was first established, it was given the 
name Salem Bridge, which endured until .\ugust _' 1 , 1834, when it was officially 



* Doctor .'Anderson's history, previously (|uoted, under tlie heading of "History from 
Colonial Period," conveys the impression that the first ofiicial use of Naugatuck as the 
name of the settlement, was in the act of 1844 incorporating the borough. 



362 WATF.Rl'.URV AXI) THE XATGATUCK WMJ.EY 

chanq-cd to .\'au,s,'atuck, altlious^h tlic latter name had Ix-cii (.•oiiinionly iisc-d since 
i8(X). 

In I<;i5 work began on Naugatnck's new |)ostoffice on Church Street, and 
this was occupied in 1916. The building has a frontage on Church Street of 76 
feet 8 inches, the depth on Cedar Street being 83 feet 8 inches. It is one story 
in height, iire])roof throughout, and faced with light colored stone to the first 
floor line. Above the first floor light buff, rough texture brick with terra cotta 
trim is used. The roof is tile. 

The concrete driveway for mail wagons enters the gromid from Cedar .Street 
at the rear of the liuilding, where is also an entrance for emjjloycs and a base- 
ment cni ranee to the Iniilding. Jhe entrance tc) the public lobby on the first floor 
is on Church .Street. 

The basement contains a boiler room, fuel and storage rooms, and a civil 
service room. On the first floor is the ])ublic lobby, the postoffice work room, the 
money order and registry room and the ])ostniastcr's oftice, and two large vaults. 
The i)ublic lobby is 12 by 48 feet with a 16- foot ceiling. The floor is marble tile, 
and the walls are finished with a marble base. 

S0MI-; .\Ar(;.\'rrcK luniKS 

\\'hile Xaugaluck is essentially an industrial borough, it is also a town of 
beautiful homes. Mve of the princii)al streets are the vantage ])oints of structures 
that rival many residences in the larger cities. 

.Along North Church Street, Millville, Rockwell, Fairvievv and Terriice ave- 
nues, are homes that represent the best in the field of house design. 

.\niong the most notable of these residences is the home of Mrs. J. II. Whitte- 
more on North Church Street. It is modern in design, surrounded by a large 
lawn that sets off the beauty of the residential picture. 

Other i)eautiful residences are those of K. F. Schatfer, John E. McDonough, 
William |. Xearv, Howard 1!. Tuttlc, Lewis C. Warner, Mrs. B. P.. Tuttle, and 
Mrs. A. C. Tuttie. 

THK GICNICK.M. W\\S11 1 NC.TOX HOUS1-: 

Naugatuck possesses a house in which Washington and his .staff were once 
entertained. It is situated in a ])icturesque s])ot on Woodbine Street, and is in a 
remarkably good state of preservation. 

In the days of the Revolution, it was used as a tavern and there is indisi)Utable 
evidence of the fact that Washington spent a night there while traveling between 
New York and Boston. Some years ago a bronze tablet was attached to the 
house by Melicent Porter Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of 
W'atcrbury. 

On the tablet is inscribed the following: 

"Porter House. General Washington with a retinue of officers and men was 
entertained in this house one night during the W'ar of the .American Revolution 
by Capt. 'i'homas Porter and his wife, Meliitable. Erected by Melicent Porter 
Chapter, Daughters of the .American Revolution, Waterbury. Conn., December, 
ir>(ii." 

Tine voum; mkn's riiinsTiw .vssoci.mio.n .\n'ii simii..\k in.stitutions 

The Naugatuck Young Men's Christian .Association was founded in 1895. It 
is today planning the erection of one of the most beautiful Young Glen's Christian 
.Association buildings in the state. In a campaign early in 19 17 it obtained pledges 
for $285,000 and this is now being paid into its treasury. 




NAI i,.\ I I ( K M A I |( i\, I II Mil. \l\\ II \\ I \ ^S -- I i:\| 



WATF-RBCm' AND THK XAUCATTCK \AI.I.1-A" -'G-l 

It has rfci'i\i-il as a <i'\t{ a hiu- luisinc-s iirDpcrty un Maple Stierl. and this will 
pfdhahly he Sdld tn pav for a silc in a ninrc iK'-iralilc Imatmn. At prcsriil it 
occupies a suite of rooms on Water Street, and has a nieniliership of si-\cral 
hundred. 

Jts nfficers are: I'resident, A. 11. I)a\ton. who wa^ one of its founders; \ ice 
]iresident, Harris \\ hitteniore ; L;eneral secretarx. W . I'.. I'.rown; treasurer. I'".. K. 
Hotchkiss. 

The idea of the da\ nursery in Xauj^atuck was lirst s^ixen expression at a lari;e 
gathering of kuhes in the rooms of the W'orkini; ( lirls' t luli on ,\pril 7. loi 1, in 
a talk given h\' Miss llejean. The idea was taken up (|uickly and eneru:etieally 
and hy Mav 31st a house on ('entral .\\enue. \\isel\- fiuaushed and well-planned 
for the comfort of the children, was opened as a day nursery. The association 
was fortunate in securing as the first matron. Mrs. (harles II. Andrews 

Mrs. .\n<Irews made of the luirsery a homediki- ]ilace. .and in her f.iithfid 
attention to the economical rtmning (if the house .ami her showing of tiersonal 
interest in each child, she started the tuu-sery aiaording to .1 high st.md.ird. 

kVir a \ear the nurser\- tlourished. tmtil in lune. i<)i_', it hecame necess,ar\' 10 
linil a new home hecanse the Ikpusc w.as neciled for other tenants. .\t this time 
.Mr. ll.arris W hitteniore generousl\ (jffere.l the present home on Water .'Street, 
which is centrall)' located .and admir,d)l\ fitted for such a home. 

The iuirser\- is linanced h\ an .association, the inemhership fee in which is 
Sl.ooa year, with the prixilege of giving .as little or as much as one desires. There 
are main- generous .gifts each week of food, clothing, toys and furniture. l*".ach 
])livsician in tcjwn gi\es his ser\ ices to the nursery for one month in the year. 

In ii)i-. when it liec.ame necess.ary to raise funds for the p,i\meiit of hills 
incurred h\' the re-litlilding of the new home, T.ig I ).iy pr(]\cd how m.any friends 
the nursery had. for many sacriliceil their time in soliciting funds, .and there 
was a jihenomen.al response in the suni i>i fij.tttio. which placed the .association 
securely on its feel, freeing the h(.)use from delit. 

The jiurch.ashig of su]iplies for the house, which the younger children we.ar 
while in the house, the hed linen, m.attresses .and such household necessities, is in 
charge of a sujiply committee, of which .Mrs. .\orth Woodford is chairman. 

The res])onsihility for the rep.airs .and npkee|i ni the house jiroper is in charge 
of a house committee of which .Mrs. Kich.ird < iweiis is cliainnan. 

Idle ofllcers of the associ.ition .ire; I'resident. .Mrs. W'. (1. Ikird; treasurer. 
Mrs. I ;. Dana Warner; secretary. Mrs. F. 1-'. .Schaffer. 

'J'he N.aug.atuck Working (lirls' (.luh. org.aui/.ed I)ecenil)er 17. 1X1)7, is located 
.at !<-) I'ark Place, and is an organization th;it eiideaxurs to make life pleasanter 
for girls who musi struggle for a lixing in various lines of comnierci;il endeiivor. 
The cluh is non-sectaria.n. self-go\ erning. with efforts toward encour;iging self 
supjiort. 

TlS courses of instruction incknk' cooking, sewing, dressni.aking. r.nglish. 
embroidery and jihxsical culture. It has roonis equipped for class work. soci:il 
intercourse, a small lihrary, in;iny magazines, a pi.ano and .1 X'ictrola. .\side from 
other means of entertainnieiU. the members of the club hokl .^undav afternoon 
teas and occasionallv indulge in afternoon walks. 

The keynote of the club is comfort, amusement and aliove all. contentment. 
The ofticers oi the club are const.antly creating new activities th;it will aiil in 
the development of its members, create further opportmiitv for friendship and 
opportunities for improvement. 

The ollicers are; K. Maude .Smith, president; Marg.iret iJoolan, vice ]iresi- 
dent ; Telia .Mm, secretarv ; Catherine Sugrue. treasurer. 



CHAPTER XXXI 
THE TOWN OF SEYMOUR 

ITS THREE NAMES POPULATION CHURCHES— SCHOOLS LIBRARY SEYMOUR's 

HANK — ITS MANUFACTURING INTERESTS — TRANSPORTATION THE SEYMOUR 

RECORD FIRE PROTECTION AND DEPARTMENT PARK AND MONUMENT TOWN 

OFFICERS SOCIETIES AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. 

Seymour has had three names in its long history. The first which clung to 
it for over a century was Chusetown, the name of a friendly Indian chiel. The 
second to which it might well have clung, but for a desire to do honor elsewhere, 
was Humphreysville, after David Humphreys, who started many of its industries, 
gave of his time and his money to develop the town, and whose life is a chapter 
of deep interest to all who study the development of the Naugatuck Valley. In 
1850, when it incorporated, it took the name of Seymour, after the governor of 
that name. 

In 1900 the population of Seymour was 3,541, with a school enumeration of 
789. In 1910 the population had grown to 4,786, and today it is approximately 
six thousand. Its grand list in 1902 was $2,803,781. In 1917 it is $4,350,128. 
Its children of school age in 1917 number 1,274. 

From this small town there go forth annually a considerable percentage of 
all the fountain pens used in the world, .'\side from brass and copper goods, 
now developed into its main industry, with a factory employing 1,400 hands, it 
makes plush and brocatelle, hard rubber goods, boring implements, edge tools, 
horse nails, paper, telegraph cables, bicycle parts, eyelets, grommets, and now 
during the war period, munitions. 

It is, however, much more than a mere manufacturing town, — it is a beautiful 
home town, with its citizens working harmoniously to develop it along up-to-date 
civic lines. This civic pride has been handed down from father to son, and is 
evidenced in such splendid gifts as its library building, its park, its church addi- 
tions, and its soldiers' monument. 

in the following history, the facts covering its development up to 1902 have 
been obtained largely from the excellent book on Seymour written and published 
by Wm. C Sharpe, editor of the Seymour Record. In his volume he has delved 
thoroughly into early sources, narrates with a virile pen the story of its land- 
marks and has even gone fully into the genealogical history of its noted families. 

ITS CHURCHES 

The oldest existing religious organization in Seymour is the Congregational 
Society, which was formed November 3, 1789, as appears by an old manuscript 
preserved in the records of the Town of Derby. 

Rev. Benjamin Beach was the first pastor and appears to have been in Sey- 
mour before the formation of the society, as he had the parsonage built in 1789. 

In 181 7 the church, or, as it was then called, the meetinghouse, was sold to the 
Methodists and a new church was built on the plateau south of the Whittemore 

364 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY :J65 

Tavern. This church was begun in iSiS and was built in more modern church 
style than the original structure, the spire, however, not being added until 1829. 

The growth of the village in succeeding years was in such direction as to 
make the location of this second church seem altogether too much to one side of 
the center of population, and in 1846 a third church was begun, the church now 
standing. This church was dedicated April 20, 1847, and has been in use seventy 
years. In 1890 the church was enlarged by an addition on the south end, with 
interior changes at a cost of about Five thousand dollars and a new inpv organ 
at a cost of $2,500. 

The church has an excellent parish library of several hundred volumes, which 
was donated by Hon. James Swan in 1883, for the use of adults, and to which 
large additions have since been made, beside the Sunday School lilirary of several 
hundred volumes. 

Rev. Dr. Geo. F. Abel is now pastor. 

Rev. Jesse Lee, the New England apostle of Methodism, lirst came to Derby 
in 1 791 and from a Methodist society formed there came those who constituted 
the first Methodist organization in what is now Seymour. This, according to 
evidence recorded by one of the early veterans, was February 7, 1797. with 
Daniel Rowe as leader. The original members were Jesse Johnson, Isaac John- 
son, Esther Baldwin, Sarah Baldwin and Eunice Baldwin ; George Clark. Llicy 
Hitchcock, Silas Johnson and Olive Johnson were soon added to the number. 

At first the meetings were held in private houses and in schoolhouses, and in 
the assembly rooms of the Dayton, Whittemorc and Moulthrop taverns, and it i^ 
recorded that as early as 1803 they were allowed to hold meetings in the old 
Congregational meetinghouse. 

In 1817 the Methodists purchased this church and raised it a story, increasing 
the seating capacity by putting in side galleries. 

The old meeting-house was sold for $100 and was torn down, and the corner- 
stone of a new church was laid June 19. 1847. The church was Gothic in de- 
sign, 40 by 60 feet, with a basement mostly above ground, containing a com- 
modious lecture room and two classrooms, and had an excellent toned bell. 

The present edifice was built in 1891, at a cost exceeding eighteen thousand 
dollars, including the refitting of the older structure, which is used for a lecture 
room and for the Sunday School. The subscription for the new church was 
headed by L. T. Wooster with $1,000, and all gave liberally, then and since, so 
that the society is now clear of debt and in possession of one of the handsomest 
churches in the valley. The new church was dedicated June 19, 1891. The 
beautiful pipe organ, which was put in at a cost of $1,500, was also the gift of 
L. T. Wooster. 

The present pastor is Rev. G. W. Simonson. 

On the 1 2th of February, 1797, thirty-nine persons living within the bounds 
of the proposed new parish, were notified to meet on the 20th of that month at 
the house of Dr. Samuel Sanford for the purpose of forming a Protestant 
Episcopal society. At the time named, all were present and Benjamin Davis 
was elected moderator, Samuel Sanford clerk, and Joel Chatficld, Israel French 
and Jonathan Miles, society's committee. 

The land upon which the church now stands was purchased of Leverett 
Pritchard March 2^. 1797, for $60. 

The first rector of the church was Doctor Mansfield, whose parish consisted 
of the present towns of Derby, Orange, Woodbridge, Seymour, Oxford. South- 
bury, Naugatuck and Waterbury. He was rector of St. James' Church. Derby, 
seventy-two years without a break, — a solitary instance, it is believed, in the 



366 WATER nURY AXD THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Episcopal Church of this country. He Hvcd to the ripe old age of ninety-six, 
and died in 1820. 

The Sunday School dates from 1827, and in the same year a bell was obtained 
for the church. The name of the parish and church was changed from Union to 
Trinity at Easter, 1856, and in the following year the church was repaired and 
improved at a cost of about six thousand dollars. The seating capacity of the 
church was doubled and the interior was re-furnished. The remodeled and reno- 
vated building was dedicated by I'.ishop Williams, May 11. 1858. 

At present the rector is Rev. W. A. Woodford, appointed in 1900. 

Roman Catholic services were first held in Seymour in 1844, in the "Old 
Long House" on the site of the fire engine house, by Rev. Father Smith of New 
Haven. There were then only six men of the Roman Catholic faith in the village, 
then known as Ilumphreysville. They were Nicholas and Daniel Brockway, 
Nicholas Cass, Patrick and Thomas Gafifney, and James Quinlan. The "Long 
House," in which mass was celebrated in 1844, was on the east side of what is 
now Raymond Street. It was a two story building, intended for six families, 
and was torn down some fifty-five years ago, and the fire engine house now 
stands where the south end of the "Long House" was. 

The first resident pastor. Rev. John McMahon, was stationed there in October, 
1 8^5, and remained until May i, 1886, when Rev. R. C. Gragan was appointed 
pastor. 

Ground was broken for a new church May 4, 1888, and the cornerstone was 
laid by Right Reverend Bishop McMahon, July 15, 1888. The church was occu- 
pied for the first time December 25, 1889, and was dedicated May 18, 1890. 

The Church of St. Augustine is a handsome building, of wood, facing on 
Washington Avenue, and overlooking the central part of the town. Its dimen- 
sions are 53 by 101 feet, with a s])ire 118 feet in height, and dials on the four 
sides, ready for a clock. A fine bell has been put in. The interior of the church 
is finished in cherry and oak, and the frescoing is in light shades, giving a very 
pleasing effect. The windows are of stained glass. The seating capacity of the 
church is 600. The cost of the edifice was $13,000. 

The three handsome altars finished in gold and white, were all donated, the 
large central altar by Rev. R. C. Gragan, then the pastor of the church ; the altar 
of the Ijlessed Virgin by the Scapular Society and the Society of the Children of 
Mary ; and the altar of St. Joseph by Mrs. Ellen Fitzgibbons. Starting with six 
Catholics in 1844, St. Augustine's Parish has today about seven hundred mem- 
bers, Coo in Seymour proper, and the remainder in Beacon Falls and Oxford. 
Father C. A. Leddy is now in charge of the parish. 

The German Lutheran Church was organized in 1893 under the direction of 
Rev. Jacobus Wittke. A site was selected on West Street, near Church Street, 
and the building was erected in 1894 and was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day. 
Rev. Jacobus Wittke resigned in 1894 and was succeeded by Rev. R. Lucas, who 
remained until 1897. Rev. Max Mueller was the pastor in 1897-8, and the Rev. 
Paul E. T. Lempke followed. The present pastor is Rev. II. A. Hunziger. 

The Great Hill Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the oldest Methodist 
societies in Connecticut, and at one time ranked highest in strength and numbers 
in the Derby Circuit, which then included the towns of the Naugatuck \'alley as 
far as Waterbury. 

The present church edifice was built by subscription in 1853-4. Almost the 
only preaching on the hill for the forty years preceding had been by the Meth- 
odists, to whom the old Congregational Church had been given up. The church 
was dedicated on Wednesday, October 25, 1854. 




I. AM. I. -MM. Kd.MAX CATllDLH (llUlill, ,-.|.^A|lll U 



WATERBUKV AXD THI£ .\AL"( lATl'CK \ALLI-A' -.iGl 

A legacy of $5,000 was left to the churcli hy Mrs. Cynthia Treat Merrill, of 
New Haven, who died in 1887, the money to lie paid <i\cr to the socit-t)- at tin- 
end of ten years front her death. She also left $2,000 to the society on condition 
that an evening school be maintained several months e\er_\' year, and -i^-'.ocjo 
more for literary purposes. 

These funds are now awailable and the school is successful!)- conducted. 

TIII-: SCHOOLS 

In 1851 the Ilumphreysville High School Association was incorporated, .-md 
the shares were to he .'S25 each, and the management was invested in a hoard nf 
five trustees, and the te.'ichers were I'rofessDr (iay and h'rederick 1 'urand. In 
accordance with the new state law, in Dctolier. 18(14. the town authorized ,-i new 
Union High School to be established by the following committee, whd were also 
to superintend the same, independent of the school society: liurton W. Smith, 
Harvey Hotchkiss, and George W. Divine. The old (dendenning l!uilding on 
Broad Street was leased for the old school, and the first teacher was Miss 
Hermance. I'esides the high school, there were two intermediate grades. 

The consolidated district was estal)lished by the town in (Jctober. 1868, in- 
cluding all the schools in the town and the following school cnmniittee was 
elected: Eli Gillett. C. W. Storrs. J. W. Bassett. Joshua Kendall. C. W. James. 
Harpin Ri.ggs, Joel R. Chattleld, Peter Worth and Henry Davis. The worl< for 
the new high school house began in June. 1884. The architect was L. W. Robinson 
of New Haven. 

The building is of brick, with white stone trimmings, and a h:uidsome tower 
adds grace and beauty: tlii- building is (13 by ~2 feet, and h:i^ nine ciiinnic)di(;us 
rooms with ample dressing rooms and si-;uing ;iccommo(.lations. inckuling the 
annex recently added. 

The Second Street School grew out of a select school which w:is held in 
1847. in a building a little south of the jjin shop, on the bank of the ri\-er and on 
the old road extending from the Bristol .Street Bridge to a point a little west of 
the engine house. This building was taken for the district school, and was moved 
to a lot west of the engine house. At the time of the Iniilding of the car shops, 
the schoolhouse suffered two other mo\ings. until it linallv reached its present 
location at the up]>er end of Second .Street. 

As early as 17(19, Joseph Johnson deeded a piece of land on the east side of 
Pearl Street near the Smith Tyrrell place, or nearl}- opposite Grand .Street, for a 
schoolhouse. This building was occupied for forty years, and was known as the 
Sixth District. 

About 1814-16 a school building was erected on the site of the jiresent Bell 
Schoolhouse, a building of two stories, also having a tower and bell. 

The district was di\ided in 1837. the north part being called the .Seventh 
District, which is known in recent years as Cedar Ridge. Between 1840-43 the 
town made arrangements to cut down the Bell .Schoolhouse to one story, making 
a neat, attractive building, located on the rocks on ffigh Street, near Pearl. 

Cedar Ridge School liecame a district in 1837. then the Seventh District. In 
1868 the town built a new schoolhouse. which in the last two decades was first 
enlarged and later completely reliuilt. 

There was a district formed on the west side of the river as early as Decem- 
ber 2y. 1779. called the .Shrub Oak District. This school is referred to in the 
Old Landmarks." The schoolhouse was located on West Street, by the path 
leading to Swan's upper shops, where Mrs. Ann Stephens spent the first of her 



368 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

school days. Later the building was moved to the lot in the fork of the roads 
opposite Trinity Cemetery; and still later, a new building was erected on Cedar 
Street, on the rocks west of the Congregational Church. This district included 
a portion of Great Hill region at first, but in the course of time there was a 
demand for a school on the crown of the hill on Bungay Road, which was called 
the Bungay School, the center of a new district. 

Great Hill School was the eighth district of the Town of Derby and the first 
district of the Town of Seymour. A new house was erected in 1832, and the 
present schoolhouse was built on a new location, and was finished at the beginning 
of the year 1878. The school on Great Hill has been one of the prosperous 
schools of the town. It has recently been enlarged and its accommodations 
nearly doubled. 

The Maple Streel School, a model, two-story, eight-room, brick building, 
was opened in 1915. 

The superintendent of schools in 1917 is Ridgely C. Clark. 

THE PUHLIC LIBRARY 

The Seymour Free l^ublic Library was established in 1892. Since its organ- 
ization, it has become one of Seymour's popular institutions, for a long time 
occupying the second floor of the Town building on Second Street. 

The new building, a beautiful, modern library building, was completed in 
1915. The gift of $30,000 by Henry P. and Edmund Day for the building and 
books, and of $55,000 by Charles P. VVooster, formerly of Seymour, now of 
New Haven, for maintenance, created not alone a building and equipment, but 
an endowment fund as well. There are over 7,000 volumes in the library. The 
librarian is Miss Roetta Danbury. The officers are : William L. Ward, president ; 
Mrs. E. A. Klatte, secretary: W. C. Sharpe, treasurer. 

Seymour's bank 

The Valley National Bank was granted its charter July 16, 1900, and the 
bank was opened for the transaction of business August 14, 1900. The bank is 
located on the corner of Main and Bank streets, in the building erected for bank- 
ing purposes nearly a half century ago. In June, 1901, it was incorporated for 
$70,000 as the Seymour Trust Company. Its officers are : President, George E, 
Matthies; secretary and treasurer, Clayton S. Boies. In November, 1917, it 
had on deposit $716,882.00 in savings. Its surplus and undivided profits on 
November 20, 191 7, were $50,695.75. 

ITS MANUFACTURING INTERESTS 

In 1785 John Wooster and Bradford Steele leased for 999 years for fifteen 
pounds, "a certain spot or privilege at a place called Rimmon Falls upon the 
east side of the Naugatuck River" for the purpose of building a blacksmith shop, 
and erecting a hammer to go by water. They manufactured scythes and did other 
blacksmith work, setting up a grindstone and other machinerj' necessary for 
conducting the business. The deed states that the land had a front of fifty feet 
on the flume and was next to the river. 

Gen. David Humphreys, who was to be so closely identified with the interests 
of the place, came and purchased the Falls property December 13, 1803. 

General Humphreys had, while minister to Spain in 1S02. imported 100 merino 
sheep and he chose this place for the headquarters of the sheep-raising business, 




i\i;i;i:i:.\ii(iNAi, < iii i;( ii wn s\\ a\ \ii;\ii)i;iAL. sia Mon; 




TRINrr\' I'Kiri'KS-JANT K1'1S(A()PAL CIILIU'H. SKYMOfK 



WATERP.URV AND TIIF. XALGATLTK \'ALI.EY 369 

as well as for the manufacture of woolen cloth. The great superiority of the 
wool of the merino sheep being immediately manifest, farmers were everywhere 
glad to avail themselves of the opportunity to improve their stock. General Hum- 
phreys did not encourage speculation but distributed his sheep judiciously among 
the farmers at $too each, a price said to be less than the original cost. When the 
price rose to $400 he refused to sell, saying that he believed such sales would 
lead to ruinous speculation. But soon the price of merino bucks went up to 
$1,500 and a few were even sold as high as $3,000, and ewes sold from $1,000 
to $1,500. John Bassett was ofifered $1,000 by Philo Bassett for a full-blooded 
merino ewe lamb eight days old and refused to take less than $1,500. A few 
days after it was killed by a fox. Two young farmers united in buying a buck 
at $1,500 and the same day it died by being choked with an apple. But such 
mishaps checked the speculation but little, and it rapidly extended throughout 
New England, Vermont people in particular l)eing quicklv suii])lied with some 
of the merinos. 

General Humphreys considered it of great im[)ortance to the interests of the 
country that manufactures, especially that of woolen cloths, should be introduced, 
and went to England, investigated the manufacture of woolen cloths there and 
made the acquaintance of John Winterbotham, who was thoroughly informed in 
every branch of the business. General Humphreys persuaded Mr, Winterbotham 
to sell his business there and come to this country to establish the business here. 

General Humphreys associated with him in business, also Capt. Thomas Vose 
of Derby, the business being conducted under the name of T. \^ose & Company. 

The name "Chusetown,"' after the Indian Chief Chuse, appears on the Derby 
records as late as 1804, but was changed by the legislature in that year to Hum- 
phreysville in honor of General Humphreys and this name was retained until 1850. 

In 1 810 the company was re-organized and the name was changed from '1'. 
Vose & Company to the Humphreysville Manufacturing Company. 

Furniture making was also one of the early industries in Seymour, One man, 
the ancestor of some of the present people of Seymour, built a dam and a little 
mill, fitted up with a saw and lathe, and some other labor saving machinery, 
made bureaus and bedsteads, tables, chairs, cradles and cofifins, for his neigh- 
bors, and then, to fill in the spare time, made up stock for great numbers of chairs 
and sent them "knockdown" to New York. They were drawn by an ox team to 
Derby and taken thence liy a sailing vessel to New York. A young man who 
had been an assistant in the "cabinetmaker's"' little shop went to New York 
with the cargo, put the chairs together and sold them, and remained there as 
agent for this cabinetmaker and others, and became wealthy. This was George 
Tomlinson. who died in Seymour only a few years ago. 

For over a century Seymour has been noted for the manufacture of augers 
and bits. Walter French came there from Mansfield, Conn., about 1810, and 
commenced the manufacture of screw augers by hand. He built a shop near 
Little River, about half a mile from its mouth, on land now owned by the James 
Swan Company. The first double twist screw augers ever ofifered for sale in 
New York City were made in Seymour by Walter French, 

The James Swan Company is the leading representative of one of the oldest 
manufacturing industries in the town, the manufacture of mechanics tools. The 
Douglass Manufacturing Company's auger and bit works at the mouth of Little 
River were established in 1856. There were then two factories, one in Seymour 
for the manufacture of augers, auger bits, etc., the other at Arlington. \'t,. for 
the manufacture of edge tools. 

The works were purchased in iSfio by Mr. F. L. .Ames, of the firm of Oliver 

Vol. 1—2 4 



370 UATF.RBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Ames & Sons, who also purchased the exclusive right to manufacture Cook's 
patent boring implements. Mr. Ames found the factory in Seymour insufficient 
for the purpose and built a second large factory above the old one, on the same 
stream. The property was controlled by Mr. Ames until 1873, when it was 
sold to Thomas Douglass and Richard P. Bruff. Under their management still 
further enlargement was made, a third factory further up the stream being hired 
from Mr. James Swan who had been identified with the business as superin- 
tendent and manager since June, 1865. 

In 1874 the property passed into the hands of Mr. James Flint and the 
Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company of New York, and was incorporated 
in that year. In 1876, the auger and bit business was concentrated in the upper 
shops, and the edge tool work at Arlington was brought to Seymour and carried 
on in the middle shops. 

The works were purchased by Mr. Swan in 1877, and The James Swan 
Company has since had the entire control. The president of the company in 
191 7 is William B. Swan, succeeding to the place after the death of James Swan. 
The secretary is John Swan. Its capital is $125,000. 

The Humphreysville Manufacturing Company had an unbroken existence 
from 1806 until 191 5. The principal line of manufacture by the company for 
more than half a century was augers and bits, and the business was carried 
on in the buildings erected for that purpose in 1845, although other buildings 
were later added. 

The company was finally re-incorporated in 1910, but ran only a few years. 
The east half of the old factory has recently been used as an armory, the west 
half being used by the New Haven Copper Company. 

The Fowler Nail Company was organized and incorporated in 1866, with 
a capital of $60,000, for the manufacture of Vulcan horseshoe nails, the ma- 
chinery and process being the invention of Thaddeus Fowler, from whom the 
company was named. These nails, which were the first satisfactory machine- 
pointed horseshoe nails, have won a reputation for reliability under the most 
difficult tests, which has made a demand for them throughout the United States 
and in foreign countries. The business was first begun in the Humphreys mill, 
but soon increased to such an extent that a larger building was necessary and 
the property now occupied was purchased. The main building had been erected 
for the manufacture of wire, but had not been occupied for that purpose. Addi- 
tional buildings have been erected, and for fifty years the company has given 
employment to a large number of people. Large additions were built in 1905 
and T906. The officers of the company in 1902 were Carlos French, president 
and treasurer; Louis H. Bristol, secretary, and Raymond T. French, assistant 
treasurer. Raymond T. French succeeded to the presidency on the death of 
Carlos French. Its officers in 1917 are: President E. G. Stoddard of New 
Haven ; secretary, John W. Bristol of New Hampshire. Its capital is now 
$190,000. 

The Tingue Manufacturing Company was organized in 1880 by John H. 
Tingue, who purchased the brick mill and other buildings at the Falls. The 
company in 1902 had a capital of $200,000, now increased to $300000. It began 
with John H. Tingue as president and treasurer, and Charles Coupland as 
general manager. On the death of the former W. J. Tingue succeeded to the 
presidency of the corporation. The principal product of the mill for many years 
was mohair plush, which was manufactured by machinery and processes made 
possible by the ingenuity of the late Charles Coupland, who in 1880 invented 
a new and very speedy way of weaving mohair pile goods by a process which 




TiiK NKW ii.w i:n iii|'I'i:i; (umi'aw. M;^ \iui i; 




<l■:^.M(|| i: iimsc h)\w.\\\. sl•:^ wkui; 



WATERBURV AND THE NAUGATUCK \'ALLEV 371 

was a radical departure from all previous methods. L'ntil the business was 
established in Seymour, this line of goods was manufactured only in Europe. 
The mohair consists of the fleece of the Angora goat, whose home is in Asia 
Minor. It has since been imported and bred in this country. 

The company now manufactures plush, brocatelle and yarn. 

Tile officers of the company in 1900 were Wm. G. Tingue, Greenwich, pres- 
ident : David Torrance, Derl)y, secretary; Howard Tingue. Greenwich, \ice 
president. 

Today the officers are: President, Howard Tingue, Xew York; treasurer, 
Wm. G. Tingue. Jr., New York. 

The H. A. Matthews Manufacturing Company, cajiital $85,000, was organ- 
ized in 1890 for the manufacture of stove trimmings and other hardware, and 
in 1895 added the making of bicycle parts. Their works at the mouth of Little 
River have been enlarged, and greatly improved, and now include the main 
building 36 by 125, an annex 24 by 89, an office and stock room, and a boiler house, 
and two buildings 60 by 120 and 60 by 60 erected in 1910. The machinery is of 
the most improved pattern and includes mannnoth presses. The works turn out 
numerous specialties in brass, steel and comjiosition metal. Since 1 914, the 
works have been occupied largely with munition orders. 

The officers of the company in 1902 were James Swan, president ; Carlos 
Erench, vice president; Gen. !•". Matlhies, secretary, and V. H. Reecher, treasurer 
and manager. 

The present officials are : President and treasurer, George E. Matthies ; \ice 
president, W. H. H. Wooster ; secretary and assistant treasurer, A. L. Clark. 
Its capital is now $90,000. 

The New Haven Copper Company, manufacturers of braziers and sheathing 
copper, was organized in 1848 and the large stone building now in use was then 
erected on land which a century before was every Spring planted with corn by 
Mauwehu, better known as Joe Chuse, the old Indian chief after whom the town 
was first named. Eor many years before the building of the mill, Bennett 
Wooster's blacksmith shop stood where the flume now^ is. When the wheelpit 
was dug, large springs were struck which so flooded the pit that it was with 
difficultv that the water could be lowered sufficiently to permit laying the foun- 
dations for the walls. 

In iS()0 this became the property of W. W. Goddard of Boston, who, knowing 
that in order to make the business a success he must have a man to direct it 
who was master of the work in all its branches, employed for this responsible 
position Mr. Thomas James, who had learned the trade in Wales, where his 
ancestors for several generations had been engaged in the manufacture of 
copper. 

In 1864, Mr. Goddard, who had other large interests which required his atten- 
tion, sold the business here to Hendricks & Lissbcrger, and it was conducted 
by them until March 13, 1872, when it was reorganized with the following stock- 
holders : Samuel Holmes, Thomas James, Franklin Earrell and Lazarus Liss- 
berger. Mr. Lissberger was elected president ; Samuel Holmes, secretary and 
treasurer, and Thomas James superintendent and manager. From the com- 
mencement of Mr. lames' management tintil his death it was a success in every 
way, giving employment to a large number of men who held liim in high respect 
and esteem. 

The process adopted by the company for the finishing of their polished copper 
was the invention of Thomas James, patented September 12, 1876. By means 
of it, the gloss on the polished copper remains permanent, whereas, by the old 



372 \\-ATERr,URY AXD THK XAL-GATLTK \ALLEY 

niclhod of polishing, it was liable to become tarnished in a short time. It has 
proved highly satisfactory and has gained for this product of the company an 
enviable rc])utation. 

The buildings of the company arc extensive. The dimensions of the principal 
ones are as follows: Main rolling mill, lOO by 20 feet, containing ten sets of 
rollers. The power used in this building is supplied by a steam engine and 
boilers of 250 horse power and four turbine water wheels aggregating 250 horse 
power, making altogether 500 horse power for the rolling mill. The 
stamping shop covers an area of 50 by 70 feet; the polished copper depart- 
ment, 50 by 90 feet. 

The capital stock is $200,000. The officers in 1900 were Thomas L. James, 
president; Lewis A. Camp, secretary; Frederick A. Rtigg, treasurer; George A. 
James, superintendent. They now are Thomas L. James, president ; Henry ]. 
Richards, secretary and treasurer, and G. Walter James, superintendent. 

W. R. Brixey, of the Kerite Insulated Wire and Cable Works and manu- 
facturer of Kerite insulated wire and cables, was connected with the works for 
more than two decades and in 1892 became sole owner. The works were first 
established by Austin G. Day, who in 1854 purchased the property and fitted 
up machinery for the manufacture of hard rubber goods and insulated electric 
wires. Mr. Day was the inventor of many improvements in the manufacture of 
rubber and in making submarine telegraph cable took the lead of all competitors. 

W. R. Brixey largely increased the plant and added to the facilities for the 
speedy execution of large orders. At the World's Fair, his exhibit, which was 
located near the head of the main stairway of the Electrical Building, was one 
of the finest, and after the most thorough tests and trials, and upon thorough 
examination, the only medals and awards given to high grade insulated wires 
and cables were awarded to W. R. Brixey for excellence of material and con- 
struction, high insulation, and reliability and durability demonstrated by pro- 
longed service under exacting conditions. 

Mr. Brixey was the manufacturer of submarine, aerial, and underground 
electric cables for the Western Union Telegraph Company, Postal Telegraph 
Company, New York Telephone Company, and other large corporations, and 
for the United States Government, furnishing a number of cables for the 
Philippines and for Alaska. 

He constructed and placed in position for the New York Central Railroad 
for their block signal system the longest aerial cable ever made in this countn,', 
extending from Albany to Buffalo, a distance of three hundred miles. He also 
furnished the underground cable for the Havana Street Railway Company, 
this contract alone amounting to $200,000. Ten years ago, on the death of 
W. R. Brixey, his sons succeeded to the business. 

In 1910 large additions were made to the plant, and in 1913 and 1914 the 
following: 65 by 150. four stories in height, and 60 by 70, one story. Its capital 
today is $200,000 and its officers are : President and treasurer. Richard P. Brixey ; 
secretary. .Austin D. I'.rixey. 

The Seymour Manufacturing Company was organized in 1878 and incor- 
porated in 1880. The capital is now $500,000. The officers in 1902 were: 
President, Charles H. Pine; secretary and treasurer, W^ H. H. Wooster; super- 
intendent, L. T. Wooster; assistant treasurer, G. E. Matthies. In 1917 they 
are : President. W. H. H. Wooster ; secretary and treasurer, George E. Matthies ; 
assistant secretary. O. F. G. Baeker ; assistant treasurer, A. L. Clark. 

The company manufactures sheet brass, wires, rods and tubing for various 
uses, and copper wire for telephone and telegraph purposes, electric roads, etc. 




■I'lii: i;i.\i.\in.\ i,\i,i.i;i (ii.\ii'A.\\ ^l.^M<nl; 




vEV.MdUR MAM|-A( 'I'UHIXi; (O.MI'AXV. SKYMdlK 



WATERRURY A.XD TIIF. XAU(]ATLCK \ALI.FA' :J7:5 

A specialty is made of German silver for table ware and many other purposes. 
The company employs about 1.400 men and does a large business. 

In 1904, 1906, 1909, 191 1 and 1916 and 1917, it added buildings costing over 
$500,000 to its plant. It has been employed on munition contracts for the past 
few years. 

Paper making has been an important industry for nearly a century. The 
first to establish the manufacture of paper in Seymour was General Humphreys, 
who built the first paper mill in 1805. The journal of the mill from October, 
1805, to June, 1825. was long preserved. Five names appeared on the time 
account for October in that year, Thomas Hudson, Chester Jones, Elbridge G. 
Ware, John Canfield and Philo Smith. This list was soon largely increased, 
including Maj. A. A. Stone, Wm. Lewis, Wm. Ball, James Bowman, and many 
others. Four or five reams of paper a day was the average for the first few 
years. 

At this time the paper was made by hand. .\n engine for preparing the pulp 
was in use. but from this it was dipped out into fine sieves of the size the sheet 
of paper was to be made, shaken about to pack the fiber, a felt or flannel laid 
on, and the paper tipped out on it. One hundred and twenty-five sheets were 
so piled up, making, with the felts a pile about fifteen inches high. This was 
pressed in a screw press, then taken out of the felts and hung on poles to dry, 
then pressed in one and a quarter ream bunches. The next day the sheets were 
■'stripped" or separated and pressed in the dry press. Writing paper was laid 
sheet by sheet between press boards with occasional iron plates and pressed again. 

In 1866 W. W. Smith took charge of the mill and his father retired from the 
business, and in May, 1870, the mill was sold to W. W. Smith. 

The S. Y. Beach Paper Company's works is a continuation of this one estab- 
lished at the Falls in 1805, S. Y. Beach having been identified with it from 
1843 until his death in 1899. The S. Y. Beach Paper Company was organized 
in 1880, with a capital of $10,000. the stockholders being George W. Beach 
of Waterbur)', and Andrew Y. Beach, Sharon D. Beach, and Theodore B. Beach 
of Seymour, all sons of the late S. \'. Beach. In 1902 G. W. Beach was presi- 
dent ; T. B. Beach, secretary, and S. D. Beach, treasurer and manager. Its 
present officers are : President, Andrew Y. Beach : treasurer and manager, .S. M. 
Beach. 

It now manufactures pin paper almost exclusively. 

The H. P. and E. Day Company, incorporated in 1902 for $200,000, are the 
manufacturers of the Waterman fountain pen and employ at present 200 hands, 
working shifts three nights a week. The rubber business had been carried on 
in the present location for seventy years, during which time have been made 
most of the inventions by the aid of which the goods and processes of manu- 
facture now in use have been perfected. A large force of skilled workmen 
is employed largely in producing a great variety of hard rubber goods but par- 
ticularly the Waterman fountain pen. 

The present officers of the company are : President Edmund Day. secretary. 
Walter Randall ; treasurer, Julius G. Day. 

The Rimmon Manufacturing Company was organized January 10, 1900. 
with a capital of $30,000 paid in, now increased to $200,000. The plant of the 
company covers over an acre of ground and is situated on Main and Day streets. 
It has a good location, being but a short distance from the depot, and has a 
good water power. The main building is 48 by 72 with an addition 22 by 44. The 
muffle building is 36 by 36 feet and the Japan building 20 by t,2 feet. This com- 
pany manufactures brass and other metal goods, eyelets for shoes, corsets and 



374 WATERnURY AND THE XAUGATUCK VALLEY 

many otlier purposes, in large quantities, for domestic and foreign trade. Some 
of the eyelets and grommets, a large eyelet, are exported to Australia. It is 
now erecting a large new factory, 8o by lOO. Its present officers are : President, 
S. A. Chase, New Hampshire; secretary and treasurer, Charles W. Michaels; 
superintendent, F. O. Lawrence. 

The Seymour Iron Foundry was established by Edward A. Klatte in 1898. 
The main building is 50 by 100 feet, with an ell 20 by 45, and an office building 20 
by 30 feet, two stories, and several smaller buildings for storage and other pur- 
poses incidental to the business. All the water used in the foundry, for steam, etc., 
is supplied by a large spring on the premises. About thirty men are employed. 
Mr. Klatte superintends the work, participating in the finer mechanical part of 
the molding and casting, and to his ability and versatility the success of the 
foundry is due. He is a native of Maine, but since May i, 1898, has been a 
resident of Seymour. The company was incorporated for $50,000 in 1913. Its 
officers in 1917 are: President and treasurer, E. A. Klatte; secretary, L. E. 
Klatte. 

The Arethusa Spring Water Company of Seymour was organized in 1892 
by Carlos French, who had the water from the spring thoroughly tested and 
ascertained that it is of exceptional purity. The water contains but one and 
three-fourths grains of mineral matter to the gallon, and in respect to chlorine 
it is shown to be almost of perfect purity. Large buildings were erected for 
bottling, storage, etc., the storage building alone being 30 by 100 feet. The labora- 
tories are provided with every needed facility that science or mechanical ingenuity 
could devise, and the water, both plain and sparkling, is shipped to great dis- 
tances. The Arethusa Ginger Ale, which is made and bottled at the spring, 
rivals the famous Belfast product. It is incorporated for $30,000. Its officers 
in 1917 are: President, Charles R. Warner; secretary and treasurer, M. J. 
Warner. 

The Seymour Water Company was organized May 9, 1898, and work was 
begun as soon as the necessary surveys and purchases of land could be made, 
and the works were completed in the spring of 1899. The reservoir is about a 
half mile northwest of Pinesbridge, in a secluded valley, removed from resi- 
dences, and in an ideal location for absence of contamination. The reservoir 
is fed by a stream which winds along the hillsides of a rocky section of country, 
with cool springs which assure a good quality of water for household use. 

There is a fall of about 230 feet to the level of the central part of Seymour, 
in the vicinity of the railway station, giving a pressure of no pounds to the 
inch and therefore ample force for most effective use in case of fires, for which 
nearly fifty hydrants have been placed where most likely to be needed. 

The capital is now $150,000. The officers of the company are: President, 
W. H. H. Wooster; secretary and treasurer, Dennis Blakeslee of New Haven. 

The Seymour Metal Goods Company was organized February 7, 1910, with 
a capital of $200000, and has built up a considerable business since that date. 
Its officers are and have been : President, William L. Ward ; secretary and treas- 
urer, A. L. Clark. 

In January, 1889. the Seymour Electric Light Company was mcorporated 
for $30,000 with all its leading manufacturers interested in giving the city the 
benefit of the latest development in lighting. Later it was merged with the 
Connecticut Lighting & Power Company. Its president now is C. R. Warner 
of Waterbury ; secretary, E. E. Day of Newport ; treasurer, C. L. Campbell of 
Waterbury. 




i:i;n AD si'i;i':i':'r, si:\ \ini i; 




MAIN S'l'RKKT. LiiiiKI\(i SOfl'If. SKVMni |; 



WATEKBURV AXi:) TUK XAL'GATUCK WVLLEV 37.-) 

TRANSPORTATION 

An account of the industries of Seymour would not be complete without men- 
tion of the facilities for transportation upon which they all depend. The Nauga- 
tuck Railroad, built a little more than sixty-iive years ago, now known as the 
Naugatuck Division of the New York, Xew Haven & Hartford Railroad, is 
one of the most important and best paying branches of that system and aiTords 
every possible facility to local enterprises. This railroad has contributed largely 
to building up the industries of the valley, while they in turn have repaid by 
addition to the profits of the road, both in freight and passenger traffic. 

The first locomotive over the road reached Seymour May lo, 1849, and the 
first passenger train iNIay 14th. Sixteen passenger trains now arrive and depart 
daily, and bring the town within easy reach of the chief cities of this state and 
of the metropolis. 

The present handsome passenger station was built in 1898 and is a worthy 
addition to the many fine edifices in the town. 

THE SEVMOl-R RECORD 

The Seymour Record was established by \V. C. Sharpe in 1871, previous 
to which time there was no paper published in any of the towns between Derby 
and Waterbury. It was at first a small eight page sheet, changing in September, 
1886, to a six column quarto. 

The Record has been conducted as a local family newspaper, giving the 
greater prominence to matters of interest to the people of Seymour and adjoin- 
ing towns, and has from time to time contained engravings of public buildings, 
factories and prominent people of the place in occasional historical sketches, both 
by the editor and by people of Seymour and neighboring town, who have con- 
tributed valuable articles on the early history of their several communities, so 
that the files of the Record are a mine of information both in regard to current 
events and early history. 

ITS FIRE DEPARTMENT 

On the i8th of April, 1882, E. F. Bassett's large, three story furniture store 
on Bank Street was destroyed by fire, together with two smaller stores owned by 
S. Y. Beach and a house owned by L. A. and S. P. Camp. The impossibility 
of extinguishing the fire until four buildings had been burned, made the neces- 
sity of efficient fire apparatus quite evident. 

The fire company was first organized in 1882 and re-organized August 12. 
1884, and the name changed to Citizen Engine Company No. 2. 

At the annual town meeting held October 4, 1891, it was voted that the town 
purchase the lot at the comer of Factory and Raymond streets, and erect a suit- 
able engine house, substantially fire proof. The sum of $5,000 was appropriated 
for the purchase of the lot and $8,000 for the building. 

The nfw engine house is a hanilsome brick Imilding of two stories with a 
roomy basement. It has in addition to other adequate equipment, a chemical 
engine and is about to add a second one. 

At present the department head is F. E. Chamberlain. The fire commissioners 
are George A. Divine, J. A. Griffith, W. B. Johnson. 

Seymour's park and monument 

The tract of nearly fourteen acres on the west of Garden City, which was 
presented to the Town of Seymour by the late Carlos French for a public park, 



376 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VAELEY 

is an ideal place for the purpose. The larger part of the tract is either nearly 
level or gently rolling, and the easterly side has been known for some years as 
the "Athletic Grounds," the use of it having been given by Mr. Erench to the 
young people for ball games and other athletic sports. The westerly part is 
covered with a fine grove, which has been a popular picnic resort. This reaches 
to the brow of a cliff which affords a fine view of the river and the northerly part 
of the town, with Castle Rock in the distance, at the left, making one of the 
most picturesque landscapes in the valley. 

From the north, the Naugatuck River spreads out into a placid lake of about 
two hundred and fifty acres. Beyond is the bold front of lofty Rock Rimmon, 
while to the right and left, and far in the distance, are seen the wooded hills 
of one of the most attractive scenic regions of the Naugatuck Valley. 

The Soldiers' Monument, a beautiful piece of statuary, was largely the work 
of Upson Post No. 40, Grand Army of the Republic and of the women of Sey- 
mour, who raised most of the money needed for this fine commemorative shaft. 

ITS TOWN OFFICERS 

The town officers for Seymour for 1917 were: Clerk and register, Frederick 
M. Parsons; treasurer, Wm. L. Ward; selectmen, George A. Divine, John A. 
Griffith, Jr., Walter B. Johnson; school committee, Edward T. Humphreys, 
chairman, James B. Honey, Sherman Sanford, Rev. Wm. A. Woodford, Joseph A. 
O'Brien, Thomas A. Perrins, Wm. B. Swan, Henry Howard, Henry Danforth. 



Sarah T-udlow Chapter, Daughers of the American Revolution, is one of the 
notable organizations of the town. At present Mrs. Hattie M. Buckingham is 
regent : vice regent, Mrs. A. T-. Booth ; recording secretary, Mrs. C. T. Adams ; cor- 
responding secretary, Mrs. W. P. Foster; treasurer, Mrs. H. M. Barber: register, 
Florence James. 

The Seymour Chamber of Commerce organized in 1900 is doing splendid 
work along all lines of civic and industrial improvement. Its president now is 
William B. Swan; its secretary, James B. Baylis; directors, C. W. Michaels, 
W. C. Sharpe, F. M. Parsons, H. S. Halligan, J. P. Johnstone, C. R. Sumpf, 
George Smith, T. B. Beach, C. H. Camp. 




\li:\V OK I'lKlMASI'DX. l.dOKIXi; W KST 




SOI.DIKKS- MdNrMKNT. M iril |( H )|S T KI'ISC OI'A I. ( 111 IH II WD l'.\ l!S( tN.M :K 
lllllMASroN 



CHAPTER XXXII 

THOMAS'J'ON. THE TOWN OF CLOCKMAKERS 

ITS EARLY 1IISTUR^■ THE BEGINNING OE ITS CLOCK INDUSTRY THE INVEN TlUN OE 

ELI TERRY AND SETII THOMAS — THEIR MARVELOUS WORK — THE GROWTH OE THE 
INDUSTRY — ITS SCHOOLS. CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, GOVERNMENT — ITS LATEST 
INDUSTRIES. 

Thomaston, named after the founder of its clock industry, Seth Thoinas, is 
a town of nearly four thousand population. It is beautifully located, its homes 
being largely on the western bank and hillsides of the Xaugatuck River. It lies 
in the southeastern part of Litchfield County, and is connected by a short trolley 
ride with W'aterbury. The New York, N'ew Haven iv Hartford Railroad gives 
it direct ccnnection with Torrington and Winsted on the north, and Waterburv, 
New Haven and P.ridgeport on the south. It has two lianks, one national and 
one savings, two excellent schools with rural schools directly affiliated with its 
high school, a beautiful library, a fine town hall' and four churches. Like all 
towns in the Naugatuck Valley, it is an industrial community. 

The Seth Thomas Clock Company, founded in 1813, gives eniplovment to 
1,200 people. The other larger industries are the Plume & Atwood Rolling Mill, 
employing 300; the Thomaston Knife Company, employing 73; and the Thomas- 
ton Mfg. Co., with 20 employes. 

ITS EARLY HISTORY 

Until 1S75, Thomaston was part of the Town of Plymouth and was generally 
known as Plymouth Hollow. Plymouth in its earliest days was a part of the 
Town of Waterbury. X'ot until October, 1737, were the people of Plymouth per- 
mitted by the General Assembly to separate as a church body from the parent 
organization at Waterbury. But in 1740 came a contest over the location of the 
First Congregational Church between those who wanted it built on the hill and 
those who wanted it in what is now the site of Thomaston. The schoolhouse 
on the West Side was used temporarily for the church meetings. 

It is evident that the occupation of the West Side Schoolhouse was merely 
temporary and provisional, the society chancing to be organized there, as there 
was no other public building in the parish limits ; it was not regarded as the 
meeting house, nor did they intend to remain in it permanently. It was not 
the society of \\'ooster Swamp, but of Northbury, which mainlv lav east of the 
river, where it proceeded to build as soon as it was in fair working order. 

The West Side settlers naturally objected to the building liecause they s.-iw 
it would be done cast of the river, and they tried to persuade the society to remain 
in their schoolhouse. But when they saw that the society was determined to 
build and on the East Side, a majority (not of the society, for that would have 
controlled it and defeated the project of building on the East Side) of the pro- 
prietors of the West Side house (eleven of the nineteen) voted the society out 
of doors till it should have conijileted its own bouse. Then this majority of the 

377 



378 WATEr^P.URY AND THE KALJGATUCK \' ALLEY 

projirietors, knowing that the Legislature would not organize an opposition Con- 
gregational Church west of the river, formed an lq)iscopal society. 

St. Peter's Church was therefore organized in 1740, in Plymouth Hol- 
low, now Thomaston, where the first church edifice was erected. The 
rectors previous to the War of the Revolution were Theophilus Mor- 
ris, James Lyon, Richard Mansfield, James Scoville, and James Nichols. The 
society was reorganized after the Revolution with the following members : 
Solomon Collins. Ahner Blakeslee, Titus Barnes, Asher Blakeslee, Eli Blakes- 
lee, Ilosea Bliss, Moses Blakeslee, Samuel Blakeslee. Philo Bradlee, Amos Bron- 
son, Ebenezer Bradley, Noah Blakeslee, Jude Blakeslee, Ebenezer Bradley, Noah 
Blakeslee, Ebenezer Bradley, Jr., John Brown, Thos. Blakeslee, Joab Camp, 
Abishai Castle, Zadok Curtis, Amasa Castle, Ezra Dodge, Samuel Fens, Ebenezer 
Ford, Jesse Fenn, Lemuel Puncher, Cephas Ford, Barnabas Ford, Isaac Fenn, 
Enos Ford, Daniel Ford, Amos Ford, Cornelius Graves, Benj. Graves, Simon 
Graves, Zacheus Howe. Eliphalet Hartshorn, I^liphalet PLtrtshorn, Jr., Jesse 
liumaston, David Luddington, Zebulon Mosher, Chauncey Moss, Jacob Potter, 
.Samuel Peck, Jr., Samuel J^otter, Gideon Seymour, David Shelton, Ezckiel San- 
ford, Jr., Abel .Sutlift, Jr., Samuel Scovile, Jr., Jesse Turner, Wm. TiUtle, Thos. 
Williams, Eli W'clton, Thos. Way, Ogrius Warner, Thomas Williams, Jr., Samuel 
Way. 

After its reorganization, the church in 1702 was supplied by Ashbel Baldwin. 
Philo Shelton, Pillotow Brartson, and Chauncey Prindle. 

A new church edifice was erected in 1796 and consecrated November 2, 1797. 

The section occupied by the Village of Thomaston in 1825 consisted of about 
thirteen dwellings, located as follows: On East Alain Street, on the site of the 
Plume & Atwood offices, stood a dwelling occupied by Lyman Fenn, and on the 
premises later occupied by John H. Wood was also a house, but its occupant is 
unknown. There was a house standing on North Main Street, where Dr. B. W. 
Pease later resided, and Julius Blakesley. lived in a dwelling which stood near 
the later residence of Henry B. Warner. The premises later occupied by T. J. 
Bradstreet and Mrs. Blakesley were owned by Mica Blakesley, and on the place 
later occupied by Mrs. George Reynolds was a tannery. The next location on 
the north side of the street belonged to -Seth Thomas, and was occui)ied by him 
a number of years. It is now covered by the clock factory. The next place below 
was occupied by the Blakesley family a long time. One of the oldest buildings 
in the village stood on Center Street, and was occupied by Levi Castle. 

The quiet little hamlet of less than a score of buildings has grown to one 
of the loveliest manufacturing towns in Connecticut, and this is due chiefly to 
the enterprise of one family, Seth Thomas, his sons and grandsons. Seth Thomas, 
the elder, commenced the manufacture of clocks in 1809, in company with Eli 
Terry and Silas Hoadley, at what is now Hancock Station, on the New York 
and New England Railroad. Here he remained until 1813, when he came to 
Plymouth Hollow, now Thomaston, and purchased the site on which the new five- 
story factory is now located and commenced the manufacture of clocks. He 
gradually increased the business, and in 1853 the Seth Thomas Clock Company 
was organized, under the joint stock law of Connecticut. The remainder of the 
story of the development of the clock industry in Thomaston is told under another 
heading in this chapter. 

tiiom.xston's town iiistorv 

On July 6, 1875. the Town of Thomaston began its corporate existence, the 
General Assembly having ofticially decreed the separation from Plymouth. Its 




• 11, 1) ST. 'IIIOMAS ( lin;i II AM) KKCTOHV. TIK l.MASTOX 




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VIKW OF MAIN STrtr.KT, Tl K iMASToX 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATL-CK XWELEY 379 

first town meeting; was held July i,^. it^75. Its first sck-ctnien were- Eredcrick E. 
Warren. Xrlson Ik-niKlt. anil .Murris liuniisldn. Its lir>t act \\;is tn appoint the 
foIl(.)\vinij haywarcK fur the coniimniity : I'.ennett K. < )sl)orn, I'hineas |. ]\Iix, 
Scoville Atwooil, Alfred I',. Smith. William I!. Atwood. The first town meetings 
were held in what was known as American llall, ami Later these, meetings were 
held in Eoster's I lall. 

( )n April jS, 1S83. it was decided to ex])cnd $50,000 on a new town hall on 
the site of the old cemetery. The committee in charge of construction was Aaron 
Thomas. E. E. Warner, A. P. fkadstreet, C. E. Williams, and James W. White. 
Within a year the huilding was completed; $8,000 was expended in furnishings, 
and it is today occupied b\' the town officials and also as a postoffice. 

The Eire Department dates its origin from April 22, 18S1, when the Crescent 
Hose Company was formed, followed on December 13. 1881, by the formation 
of the Thomaston Hook and Ladder Company. 

A fine new building was completed a few years ago which is fitted out on its 
upper floor as a clubhouse, and on the lower floor are up-to-date firedighting 
appliances, including a combination chemical engine just installed. 

The Laura Andrews and Thomaston Library lUulding was erected in 1902, 
the site being a gift of the Andrews family to the tijwn. It contains 6,000 vol- 
umes. Miss ^lartha.C. Potter is librarian. 

Thomaston has a large high school, to which is attached a grammar school. 
In addition, it has what is called the Tirick School, which is a full graded school. 
Two outlying district schools are affiliated with the High .School and are under 
the supervision of the school committee. 

Its enrollment of pupils is at present about eight hundred. The school com- 
luittee for 1017 consists of Robert Ilazen, Ered L. White. T(ihn Walsh. lames 
Goodall. Xcwton D. Holbrook, Richard J. Wallace, .\lfred X. Pratt, Raljih II. 
Barnes, and Ralph S. Cjoodwin. 

Its present town officials are: Clerk and register, Charles A. Curtiss ; treas- 
urer, Ered I. Roberts; selectmen, E. O. Bradley, George .Sangster. R. J. Wallace; 
assessors, W'm. B. Foote, George C. Gilbert, George C. Hosford ; auditors, Ray- 
mond H. Eelton, Michael E. Conway. 

The Thomaston National Bank, founded in 1883, has a capital of $50,000 
and surplus of $25,000. Its deposits are $147,068.00. Its president is James A. 
Doughty : cashier, E. I. Roberts. 

The Thomaston Savings Bank, founded in 1884, has about two thousand 
depositors, with total deposits in 1016 amounting to $1,208,386.20. Its surplus 
is $89,000. The president is Edward C. Stoughton ; treasurer. Henry E. Stough- 
ton. 

THE FIRST CONGREG.\TIONAI, CHl'RCII 

The Eirst Congregational Church was organized December 7, 1837, with the 
following members : Josiah \\'arner, Thomas Sutliff, Abel C. Judson, Abel Jud- 
son, Hiram Pierce, William E. Judson, Samuel Beach, Silas Hotchkiss, Edward 
Nettleton, James Cargill, Seth Thomas, Joseph F. Mansfield, P. D. Potter, 
Lafayette Comstock, Munson Adkins, Nathan Cook, Fanny Warner, Nancv Sut- 
lifif, Haldah Sutlifif, Rtiby Judson, Sabrina Hart, Sally C. Northrop, Mehitabel 
Booth, Ruth Bush, Harriet Nettleton, ]\Iartha Marsh, Chloe Boardman, Eunice 
Cargill, Mary M. Judson, Hannah M. Comstock, Clarissa E. Cook, Laura 
Thomas, Martha Thomas, Amanda Thomas, Mary E. Blakesley, Esther Potter, 
Amanda Adkin.' The pastors have been as follows: Harvey D. Kitchell. Joseph 



380 WATERRURY AND THE XAL;GATL"CK \-ALLEY 

D. Hall, James Averill, J. B. Pearson, R. P. Searlc. J. W. Backus, H. C. Hitch- 
cock. The jjresent pastor is Rev. Geo. D. Owen. 

THE METHODI.ST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

For many years previous to the erection of a house of worship by the Meth- 
(xlists, Thomaston was supplied with circuit preaching by the Xew York Confer- 
ence. During these years the tide of opposition was strong against this small 
Ijand, which finally eventuated in their being prohibited the use of the school- 
house, which for some years they had occujjied. 

The membership at the time, though small and feeble, now felt the need of a 
house of worship. The subject of building soon became agitated. This, in the 
course of two or three years, resulted in the erection of a very neat and com- 
modious church. This church was erected in the year 1842, principally through 
the influence and labors of Bennett Ilibbard, a leader and steward in charge. 
The house being finished in the early part of the winter, was dedicated by the 
Rev. L. D. Ferguson. 

The first pastor was Charles Bartlett. The first officers were as follows: 
Bennett Hibbard, Nathan A. Daniels, leaders ; Bennett 1 libbard, Hiram S. Turn- 
ey, stewards; Bennett Hibbard, Samuel Coley, Sherman Lines, trustees. 

The following is a list of the members in the year 1842: Bennett Hibbard. 
Laura Ilibbard, William McAliston, Hiram Turney, Jenett Turney, Ruth A. 
Dunning, Emily Smith, Julia E. Thompson, Jane M. Thompson, Mary Fuller. 
F"anny Munger, Lucius .Alcott, Emily Alcott, Caleb Austin, Louisa .\ustin. 
Al)ijah .\. Dunning, Maria Fuller and Lucy Yale. 

The ])resent pastor is Rev. E. L. Thorpe. 

TRINITY EPISCOP.\E CHURCH 

Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church sprang from St. Peter's, Plymouth. The 
Rev. Benjamin Eastwood commenced holding evening services in the Academy 
Hall, but in 1866 Academy Hall was sold to the school district. It was t'hen 
thotight best to purchase the old meeting-house of the Methodist Society, and in 
March, 1867, it was deeded to Randal T. Andrews, Edwin Welton and Robert 
Alcott, to be held by them in trust until such time as a parish might be organ- 
ized. In the fall of the same year the building was enlarged by adding a vesti- 
bule and belfry, containing a bell given in memory of Mrs. Hannah Williams. 
The parish organization was effected January 2, 1869. The names of the first 
members were : Robert Alcott, Augustus E. Blakeslee, Jerry M. Curtiss, Herman 
D. Saul, David S. Plume, Richard Chapman, George G. Alcott, Harvey Sperry, 
.'\lfred J. Winton, Randal T. Andrews, John Chapman, Hugh Lawton, Edward 
T. Gates, William C. Gates, Thomas Chapman, George W. Canfield, Martin L. 
Judd, Augustus Merrill and Daniel H. Stevens. 

The first rector was Rev. David Bishop; first clerk, Robert .Mcott ; first treas- 
urer, R. T. Andrews; first wardens, Edward T. Gates, George G. Alcott; first 
vestrymen, David S. Plume, Randal T. Andrews, Robert Alcott, Augustus E. 
Blakeslee. Jerr)' M. Curtiss, William C. Gates, Hugh Lawton. Lsaac R. Castle 
and John Chapman. The present church edifice was erected on the site of the 
old one in 1871. 

The present rector is Rev. B. Hamilton Phelps. 

The church was enlarged, at an expense of $3,000, in the fall of 1879, and a 
$1,500 organ placed therein in mcmor}' of George W. Bradley, a former organist 
of St. Peter's, Plymouth. 




lilOSlDKXC K (IK W". 'I'. WODDKl-FF. THO.MASTIIN 








\i\:\\ t>i nil. II mi;kki iiiii\i\mh\ iik\i;\- |.:. s'i'(ir(;irni\s i;h;MiiKxcK 



WATKRRURV AXD THE XAUGATUCK \AL1.FA' 381 

ST. TIIU.MAs' R. C. ( UUKi II 

The lir>t iu;ini:LL;c nf ('allmlics \\a^ sdleinnizeil li\ lather I'lllun im a \ihit 
to Plymoutli HdUnw. in i^^.^i. The t'lrst mass was c-clchratcd In the nsiileiico of 
Alichael Ryan, in 1S54, hy l^:l■v. Micliael ( )'.\cilc. of Wah-rhnry. wiin paid 
monthly \isits in tin- little C'alhnlir cnmmunity. Winn hathcr I hiidrickcn suc- 
ceeded him, lie cnntinned these niunthK- \isits. In iSd^ ihe w iiisln]iin!; < athdlics 
were placed under the jurisdiction of I'.ristcil an(l so remained until \Xji. l\e\. 
Eugene Gattney was the first resident pastor. \\hi> came to the chnrcli m 1S71 
and started the building- of the present St. Thomas editice at that lime. It was 
dedicated October 13, iS/h. lie not alone completed this church but .ilso built 
those ;it Terryville and W'atertown. He bou.sjht the cenu'tery and aKo built the 
rectory. Father ( iaft'iiey died .Vugust 30. 1SS4. and was succeeded by Rev. 
Michael ;\rc(iivney. who died in iSgo. Rev. Michael J. D.ily succeeded him. The 
present pastor in chartje of St. Thuni.is ]iarish is l\e\, |, 11. Walsh. 

THC1M.\ST0.\'S INDUSTRI.M. DIAI-.l.l ll'.M i: .\ T 

The industries of Thomaston have their actual beginnings, as l)efore stated, 
in the work of Seth Thomas, the clockmaker, and of his first |)artner in the liusi- 
ness, Eli Terr}'. The life story of both men forms an enlightening chapter on 
Thomaston's great industiy. 

Mr. Terry learned the art of clock and watchmaking and the ;irt nf engrav- 
ing on metal from Daniel Rurnap, in the City of Hartford. He also received 
instruction from Thomas Harland, a noted clock and watchmaker, a resident of 
Norwich, and a native of Eondon. When he 'settled in I'lymouth. he engaged 
in the btisiness of repairing clocks and watches, engraving on metal, and selling 
spectacles, spectacles being the only goods he kept fur s.alc. In his carlv years 
here he did nothing at clockmaking worthy of mention, but in the year 1807 he 
obtained a contract from a clockmaker in the neighboring Town of Waterbury for 
making 4,000 thirty-hour wooden clocks with seconds pendulum, the dial and 
hands included, at $4 apiece. At this date the manufacturers of clocks in this 
country made the eight-day English brass clocks and thirty-hour wood clocks, 
both kinds of clocks having pendulums beating seconds with three exceptions. In 
that part of Plymouth, now Thomaston, there was a manufacturer of brass 
clocks, and also a manufacturer of brass clocks at Salem Bridge, now Nauga- 
tuck. These clocks were the English brass clocks with sixty teeth in the escape- 
ment wheel, instead of thirty, to adapt them to a half seconds pendulum, the 
cord passing upward and over a pulley on the inside of the top of the case and 
attached to the weight, the weight moving the whole length of the inside of the 
case. These were the substantial dififerences. The plates for the frames of these 
clocks and the blanks for the wdieels and other parts were cast metal, and the 
pinions were of cast steel, as in the English clocks. The length of cases required 
for half seconds clocks bears about the same ratio to the length of the cases for 
clocks with seconds pendulums that squares of the lengths of the pendulums bear 
to each other. These clocks were popularly called "shelf clocks." and were thus 
distinguished from clocks with seconds pendulums, the case of which stood on 
the floor. At Roxbury, near Boston, a timepiece was made called Willard's 
timepiece. This timepiece consisted of the tiiue train of the English 
brass clock, w-ith the omission of one leaf in the ])inion on the escapement 
wheel arbor, the escapement wheel having an additional number of teeth, and 
was thus adapted to a pendulum shorter than the seconds and longer than the 



382 WATEKHURY AND THE NAUGATUCK X'ALLEY 

half seconds pendulum. This brass timepiece and the half seconds brass clock 
before mentioned were excellent timepieces. Such was the state of the clock- 
maker's art, so far as relates to clocks for general use in the year 1807. To com- 
plete the contract mentioned, Mr. Terry was allowed three years. During this 
time he conceived the idea of making a thirty-hour wood clock with half seconds 
pendulum for general use, which would be much less expensive than the half 
seconds clock of cast brass. His first effort in this direction was unsatisfactory, 
the clock was substantially the movement of the thirty-hour wood clock with a 
seconds pendulum, the escapement wheel having sixty teeth instead of thirty to 
adapt it to a short half seconds i)endulum. The cord passed upward and over a 
pulley on the inside of the top of the case and down around a pulley attached to 
the weight and back to the top of the case, where it was fastened. The front plate 
of the frame was an open plate, and the clock had no dial, but the figures to indicate 
the time were painted on the glass in the sash of the case. This clock did not 
suit Mr. Terr>''s aspirations, though he made and sold several hundred of them, 
and other manufacturers made and sold more than be did. 

In the year 1814, he perfected a thirty-hour wood clock of a construction 
entirely new, both the time and striking trains having a greater number of 
wheels, and the clock being so radically different that it was really a new manu- 
facture. Aside from the ingenuity as shown in the general construction of this 
clock, there were two notable inventions: the one consisted in arranging the dial 
works between the plates of the frame, instead of between the front plate and 
the dial, and the other consisted in mounting the verge on a steel pin inserted in 
one end of a short arm, a screw passing through the other end and into the front 
of the plate. In wood blocks the pin was inserted in a button midway between 
the center and the periphery. By turning the button or arm, the verge was 
adjusted to the escapement wheel. In the manufacture of this newly constructed 
thirty-hour wood clock the numerous manufacturers of clocks at once engaged, 
and it became a verj- extensive industry, Mr. Terry making a very small fraction 
of the number made and sold. It superseded the half second clock made of cast 
brass, and that industry perished. This clock supplied the American market and 
exjjort demand for clocks for a quarter of a century. 

In the progress of the arts in this country, sheet metal began to be manufac- 
tured, and rolled brass became an article of commerce. With a supply of this 
article in the market, sheet metal clocks began to be made. These sheet metal 
clocks, with wire pinions, were much less expensive than wood clocks, and super- 
seded the manufacture of wood clocks as the manufacture of wood clocks had 
superseded the manufacture of clocks of cast brass. The two inventions before 
mentioned were adapted to brass clocks, as well as to wood clocks, and to sheet 
metal clocks, as well as to clocks made of cast metal, and one or both are found 
in nearly every clock made in this country, and also in clocks made in other coun- 
tries. It is worthy of mention at this point that all of the several kinds of clocks 
before mentioned were made to gauges, or so that the parts were interchangeable. 
The making of parts of a machine so that one part may be changed for a like 
part in another machine was an American idea. To whom the credit of the 
invention belongs, the writer regrets he is unable to state, but it was practiced in 
the clockmakcr's art as early as the year 1807. Rut Mr. Terry did not confine 
himself to making low-priced clocks for general use. He made brass clocks of 
fine quality, and sold them to watchmakers for regulators, the price ranging from 
one to two hundred dollars, and he also manufactured tower clocks. His tower 
clocks were novel, and consisted of three parts, a movement, a part to move the 
hands, and the striking mechanism. By this construction the movement was not 




<\:T\\ 'llldMAS W Al( II AMI MA( HIXK Sllnp. TlKiMASTdX 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 383 

affected by the action of the wind and weather on the hands ; the movement conld 
also be placed in any part of the building desired, with a dial and handle attached 
and connected to the parts in the tower by a wire. 

The tower clock which he made for the City of Xcw 1 la\'en deserves special 
notice. The city at this time (1826) had no building suitable for a tower clock 
and the clock was placed in Center Church, on the "Green." This clock had the 
usual dial work, the hands connected with it showing mean time on a dial, and 
an extra train or dial works whereby the hands connected with it showed 
apparent tinu' on an extra dial. This dui)lex chjck, showing both mean and 
apparent time, was not liked by the citizens, who were accustomed to apparent 
time, which was everywhere kept except in two or three of the princijial cities, 
sun dials having been common and every house having its own mark. I'he e.xtra 
dial work, dial and hands for showing apparent time were remo\ ed. and the man 
in charge was instructed by Mr. Terry to set the clock to mean time, for he was 
determined that the clock should show mean time, and he still owned it and could 
do as he pleased, the city not having accepted it. In a tower on one of the build- 
ings of Yale College, there was a public clock "with an apparatus attached to it, 
which produced a daily variation from true time equal to the \ariation of the 
sun," causing the clock to show apparent time. These two public clocks, not a 
block apart, one showing apparent time and the other mean time, occasioned a 
spirited controversy in the public press as to what was true time, or the proper 
time to be kept, in which there was a mixture of ridicule and learning. Those 
curious to read the controversy are referred to the files of the city papers of tliat 
day, to be found in the library of Yale. The communication signed ".\ Citizen 
of the United States" was written by Mr. Terry, and shows that he was a master 
of the whole subject. At this day it seems strange that there should have been 
such a controversy, that learned men and others should have advocated the keep- 
ing of apparent time, and that, in the year 181 1, on a signal from the observatory 
of the college, a heavy gun on the Public Square was fired at noon to give the 
people the e.xaet time to make their noon marks. Many residents of the city and 
graduates of the college in all parts of the country will remember these two old 
public clocks which for many years chimed out their discordant nntes. 

Some confusion has arisen from the failure of writers on the art to distinguish 
between clocks of cast brass and sheet metal clocks. The making of clocks of 
cast brass, the making of sheet metal clocks, and the making of wootl clocks, so 
far as the mechanical part is concerned, are three distinct arts, — are three distinct 
industries. Eli Terry died in Plymouth, in the post village of Terryville, called 
after his oldest son, Eli Terry, Jr., February 24, 1852. falling short of the age of 
three score and ten one month and eighteen days. 

.Seth Thomas was the son of James and Martha Thomas, and was born in 
Wolcott, Conn., August 19, 1785. His early education was very meager, con- 
sisting of a very short attendance upon a distant public school. He served an 
apprenticeshi]) to the trade of carpenter and joiner, and spent some time on the 
construction of Long Wharf, in New Haven. Leaving at his majority with a 
small kit of tools and a very small sum of nionev, he associated with Kli Terry 
and Silas Hoadley under the firm name of Terrv, Thomas & Idoadlev, in the 
southeastern part of the Town of Plymouth, now known as Hancock Station, on 
the New England Railroad, and commenced the manufacture of clocks. 

In 1810 Mr. Terry sold his interest, and the firm continued two yei'.rs as 
Thomas & Hoadley. Mr. Thomas then sold his interest to Mr. Hoadley and came 
to the western part of the town, then known as Plymouth Hollnw. ami jnirchased 
the site where the large new factory is now located, and began the maiuifacture 
of clocks on his own account. 



384 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

He was twice married, first to Philena Tuttle, April 20, 1808. She died 
AEarch 12, 1810. He was married to Laura Andrews, daughter of WilHam and 
Submit Andrews, April 14, 181 1, who survived him. She died July 12, 1871. 
He was the father of nine children, three of whom, and all then living, died in 
September, 181 5, in the year memorable as the one of the dysentery scourge. 

The clock business, from small beginnings, increased rapidly, and he after- 
ward built a cotton mill and a brass rolling and wire mill. Politically he was a 
whig. He was a member of the Congregational Church' and contributed largely 
to the building of the church in Plymouth Hollow. 

J^n 1853, feeling the infirmities of years coming upon him, in order to avoid 
the stoppage of his works consequent upon his death, he organized the Seth 
Thomas Clock Company under the joint stock laws of Coimecticut. He died 
January 29, 1859. 

Six of his children who survived him were: Seth. Jr.; Martha, who married 
Dr. William Woodruff; Amanda, who married Thomas J. P.radstreet; Edward: 
Elizabeth, who married George \V. Gilbert; and .\aron. 

Today the Seth Thomas Clock Company occupies three immense buildings, 
and the only regret of the officials is that the structures are widely separated. 
This is due to two other ventures of the great-grandfather of the present execu- 
tive head of the Seth Thomas Clock Company, Seth E. Thomas, Jr. First of 
all, just before the middle of the last century, he started a cotton mill on Elm 
and East Main streets. This was given up and was made the movement shop of 
the clock works. Later he was instrumental in founding the rolling mill which, 
with its water right on the east side of the Naugatuck, is now one of the plants 
of the Plume & Atwood Company. The latter company has just completed a 
large addition and is at present building a "recovering" plant close to the river. 

In 1905 the changes in the manufacture of clocks necessitated a larger set- 
ting-up room, and this, which is known as the "varnish" building, was put up on 
the old site. The new structure is 1 10 by 80. The only building that has been 
torn down was the old storehouse. The first building erected, and in which the 
business was started, still stands at the south corner of the plant and is in con- 
stant use. The new five-story building on the site of the old storehouse was 
completed and occupied in 191 5. It is 240 by 60 and is used for assembling, 
storage, and general offices. The marine department was built by the sons of 
the original Seth Thomas. This is where the movements are made. It is four 
=tories in height, size 240 by 30, with a wing added later. 

While many of the old employees have been with the company for over forty 
years, no one is now living who personally knew the original Seth Thomas. The 
officers of the company at the present time are : President, Seth E. Thomas, Jr. ; 
vice president and general manager. Mason T. .Adams; treasurer and secretary, 
G. S. Havelin. 

The Thomaston Knife Company was organized in 1887 by Joseph M. War- 
ner, and located in what had been first a woolen mill, and later a clock factor)'. 
He remained at its head until 1912. when E. H. Frost, of Bethlehem. Conn., 
bought the controlling interest. The company employs seventy-five people. 

The Thomaston Mfg. Co., on North Main Street, which makes automatic 
screw machine accessories, is a comparatively recent addition to Thomaston's 
industries. It was incorporated in 191 3 with a capital of $15,000. John Gross 
is president; E. B. Gross, secretan-. It employs twenty men. 




iiuni. i;rii,iii\(, riii)\i \vr(i\ 




MAIN s'|-i;i:k r and im'i:i:a imi sk. ■iHnMASTdx 




CITV HALL. TOKKIXtiTOX 




INITKI) STATKS I'OSTOKFICK. TdHHlNCTOX 



CHAPTER XXXllI 
TURRINGTUN'S RAL'iD GROWTH 

SUMMARY OF ITS IiN'DUSTRIAL UliNICI.Ol'M liNT — ITS EARLY HISTORY' — TOKRI NGFORU 

KAKLY EXPANSION SCHOOLS (_: 11 L U(_ IIICS UAN'KS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

— LIllRAKY — Y. M. C. A. — HOSI'ITAI. — NEWSPAPERS ELKS' CLUU HOUSE 

PARKS tEMLTER[LS — l;iJKijr(.H II ISIoKV. 

Torriiiglon is unique in Litchlield County in its phenomenal civic and indus- 
trial growth. From hSoo to uSijo its jjcrccntage of increase in popidaiion was 
82lj. From 1S90 to Kjoo the increase was lOo per cent; from iijoo to lyio, its 
poi>ulation increased from about y.oot) to 1 5,41/3. 

The population on July 1, lyij, as estimated by the United States Census 
Bureau, is 20,040. l!ut this is an c.xcecdingl)' conservative figure when it is 
remembered that in live years the pay rolls of its thirteen leading manufacturing 
plants have increased from 5,000 to 9,000. The American llrass Co., Coe branch, 
employs in Torrington 2,000 jieople as com[)ared with 1,800 live years ago. The 
Chamber of Commerce of Torrington feels, therefore, justihed in claiming a 
poijulation at this time of 23,500, which would give Torrington the largest |)ro- 
portionate increase of any town in Connecticut, a record which it has held fi^r 
three decades. 

Including the water and light C(jm])anies, but not including its banks, and 
allowing for proportionate capital of the Torrington branch of the American 
lirass Co., there are in Torrington today fourteen industrial corporations with a 
working cajiitalization of over nine million dollars. 

The assessed valuation of the borough in 1N92 was $3,269,991. In 1915 this 
had increased to $14,739,991, and in 1917 to $15,814,214. 

From the borough records of March, Hjio, the following facts arc taken, 
although in 19 lO and in 1017 each item has been further appreciably increased. 
Torringtun had on Alarch 1, 1915, 3i-Oc) miles of public streets, 8.56 miles of 
private streets, 5.80 miles of streets with bituminous surface, 28.40 miles of side- 
walk, 3.63 miles of storm sewer, 392 street lights, practically all of 60 candle power, 
153 hydrants, 29 public fire alarm boxes and 13 private fire alarm boxes. It has 
perhaps the largest mileage of concrete walks in the state. 

Torrington has in the past five years expended or contracted for the expendi- 
ture of between $600,000 and $700,000 for new schools. 

The school enrollment for 1913-14 was 2,979; for iQM-'S. 3.078: for 1915-16 
it was 3,473. For the fall of i<)i7 it will reach 4,000. So great has been the 
pressure for school room that during the past two years in the Center School 
there were eight classes with half a day schooling. The congestion in other 
sections was nearly as great. New schoolhouses, completed and building, will 
relieve this pressure. 

There are twelve churches with property valuation of nearly a million. It 
has one national Ijank with de])0sits of $3,000,000, two trust companies and one 
savings bank. It has 7,100 savings depositors, who ha\e on deposit nearly three 
million dollars. 

Vol. 1—25 

385 



386 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

The following list of larger industries, of which the histories are given in 
detail in these pages, tells how they are ofificered in 1917, with capitalization and 
date of organization. It gives some conception of the growth of Torrington. 

The American Brass Co., Coe branch, incorporated in 1863, has the follow- 
ing ofificers in 1917: C. F. Brooker, president; E. J. Steele, vice president (until 
July I, 1917), succeeded by Frederick L. Branian; James l>. Thursfield, manager; 
Frederick L. Braman, assistant manager, became vice president on July i, 1917. 

The capital of the Warrenton Woolen Company, organized in 1844, is 
$250,000, and its ofificers in 1917 are: President, John Workman; secretary, 
Frank E. Coe; treasurer and general manager, S. C. Workman; assistant man- 
ager, F. R. Appelt. 

The Domestic X'acuum Cleaner Co. was incorporated in 1912. Its capital is 
$326,000. The ofificers in 1917 are: President, F. P. Weston; treasurer, Gail Z. 
Porter. The National Sweeper Co., incorporated in 1900, has a capital of $100,- 
000, and is under the same management. 

The capital of the Excelsior Needle Com])any, organized in 1870, is $1,000,000. 
Its ofificers are: President, Frederick P. Weston; secretary and treasurer, C. B. 
Vincent. The Standard Company, organized in 1900. has a capital of $1,200,000, 
and its ofificers in 1917 are: President, Frederick P. Weston ; secretar)', George E. 
Hammann ; treasurer, Charles E. ]\Iorehouse. These two companies and the 
Progressive Manufacturing Co. are controlled by the Torrington Co., which may 
be described as an international corporation for the manufacture of needles. 

The Torrington Building Comj)any, incorporated in 1902, has a capital of 
$r 50,000. Its officers in 191 7 are: President, Harlow A. Pease; secretary, Wil- 
liam B. Waterman; treasurer, Howard J. Castle. 

The Torrington Electric Light Company, incorporated in 1887, has a capital 
of $625,000. Its ofificers in 1917 arc: President, John Workman; secretary, I-". F. 
Fuessenich ; treasurer, Frank M. Travis. 

The Torrington Manufacturing Company, incor])orated in 1885, has a capital 
of $250,000. Its ofificers in 1917 are: President, J. A. Doughty; .secretary and 
treasurer, Robert C. Swayze. 

The Torrington Realty Co., incorporated in 1910, has a capital of $150,000. 
Its ofificers in 1917 are: President, L. Cleveland Fuessenich; secretary, Henry 
II. Fuessenich; treasurer, Frederick W. Fuessenich. 

The Torrington Water Co., incorporated in 1878, has a ca])ital of $400,000. 
Its officers for 1917 arc: President. J. N. lirooks ; secretary and treasurer. C. L. 
McNeil. 

The Turner & Seymour Mfg. Co., organized in 1848, has a capital of $350,000. 
Its officers in 1917 are: President, L. G. Kibbe; secretary, S. C. Workman; 
treasurer, E. E. L. Taylor. 

The Union Plardware Company, organized 18S4, has a capital of $600,000. 
Its officers for 1917 are: President, Thomas W. Br)-ant; secretary. Christian G. 
Hoerle ; treasurer, Frank J. Damon. 

The capital of the Hendey Machine Co.. organized in 1870, is $900,000. Its 
ofTicers in 1917 are: F. F. Fuessenich, president and treasurer; Charles H. Al- 
vord, vice president and manager; b'rederick M. McKenzie, secretary; F. W. 
Fuessenich, assistant treasurer. 

The Hotchkiss Brothers Co., organized 1901, has a capital of $160,000. Its 
ofificers in 1917 are: President, Henry E. Hotchkiss; secretary, Harry J. Wylie; 
treasurer, Edward H. Hotchkiss. 

The Progressive Mfg. Co., incorporated 1905, has a capital of $100,000. Its 
officers in 1917 are: President, John H. Alvord; secretary and treasurer, Geo. 
E. Hammann. 




SSI?.. ""••••••'■'"■< •^•<'^'*1 








TIIK IIKXDKV MAClllXJ-: COMl'AXV. I'dUUlNirniN 



W'ATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \'ALLEY 387 

To this libt it is essential to add tlic I'itzgerald Mfg. Co., incorporated in Iyi2, 
which in its two plants at Torrington and Winsted employs 400 hands, and has 
a total capitalization of over $100,000. 

The latest building improvements give some conception of the industrial ex- 
pansion of Torrington during the past two years, ;ind throw light on the prospect 
of a still greater growth in the near future. 

The Coe Brass branch of the American lirass Company has just completed 
its new casting plant, and its new rod mill. With these and with the improve- 
ments planned on Water Street, the cajiacity will be nearly doubled. 

The Hendey Machine Co. is now building a new casting shop. .\ big addition 
was completed about two years ago. 

The Standard Mfg. Co. this spring com[jleted its three-story .iddition, occupy- 
ing a space of approximately 300 by too feet. 

The Lhiion Hardware Company is planning a new addition. 

The Turner & Seymour Maiuifacturing Co. is Iniilding an addition to its 
casting shop. 

The Excelsior Needle Ctimpany built a new addition in 1OT5. 

The Torrington ^Mfg. Co. is putting up an office building. 

Geographically considered, Torrington lies in the beautiful Xaugatuck \'alley, 
nineteen miles north of Waterbury and forty miles froiu the tide waters of Long 
Lsland Sound at New Haven. The Naugatuck Division of the N. ^'., .\. H. & IJ. 
R. R. connects it with both cities, and also with Winsted on the north, and an 
electric railway system furnishes additional communication with Winsted. The 
surroundings are picturesque, good drives are on everv hand, and the tops and 
slopes of the neighboring hills coniniand varied and expansive views on every 
side. 

Red Mountain rises sheer and bold against the northern sky line like a mighty 
buttress. The other hills slope in graceful outlines above the valleys beneath, — 
the restful type of pastoral scenery. The .Shawngum (softened from Shawan- 
gunk) hills are extremely picturesque, in places palisadic in formation. 

KARr.V HISTORY OF TORRINGTON 

The parent colony from which Torrington has its origin was Windsor. In 
May, 1732, when the (ieneral Assembly partitioned what is now the Borough 
of Torrington, it contained 20,924 acres. The only addition that has been made 
since that time has been the annexation of a small part of Litchfield. Historians 
assert that the name was l)rought over from Devonshire, England, where a ham- 
let called Torrington has existed for luany centuries. Cnquestionably some of 
the English from that village had come to Windsor in the early days of that 
town. The meaning of Torrington is "a hill-cncircled town." which well suited 
the new community. 

In October, 1734, the early settlers constructed a fort, fearing a raid from the 
Mohawk Indians. In 1740 the first town meeting was held on December 9th. 
At this gathering Ebenezer Lyman, who had been the first to settle in the new 
town, w^as chosen moderator, and on the 15th of December, 1740, the first regular 
town officers were elected. As a matter of fact, the first dwelling house in the 
town was built by Joseph Ellsworth in 1734, although he did not become a per- 
manent resident of the town. The second house was built by Ebenezer Lyman 
in 1735, and in this place he resided for a long period. In June, 1738, a daughter 
was born to the Lymans, the first birth in the Town of Torrington. 

In 1 74 1 the little community organized its church. In 1751 it erected its first 



388 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

meeting house, following it in 1755 with its first schoolhouse. All these structures 
were built about the fort and were of log construction. These first log houses 
were not built in what later came to be known as "Mast Swamp," the valley 
section along the Naugatuck, but upon the western hills ; the later dwellings were 
put up on what were known as the "Torringford hills" and afterwards some dwell- 
ings were erected on the "Newfields" hills. That portion of the town later called 
Wolcottville, which is now the Borough of Torrington, was the very last to be 
populated. It was covered for more than sixty years after the organization of 
the town in 1740 with a thick forest of pines which were u.sed largely by ship- 
builders along the Sound for masts; in fact, many of these splendid, long pine 
poles were sent to England for use in the construction of ships in the navy of 
Cireat Britain. It is this use of the pine that gave the name of "Mast Swamp" 
until 1806 to what is now the Borough of Torrington. 

Amos Wilson was the first to use the water power of the Naugatuck for mill 
purposes in 1751, near the present site of the Ilotchkiss Brothers Company. This 
brought about the first era of frame dwellings, and John Brooker, in 1803, on the 
sjiot where South Main and Litchfield streets intersect, erected the first home 
with lumber from Wilson's Mill. In 1806 the villagers changed the name of their 
little community from Mast Swamp to New Orleans Village. This was the period 
of the Louisiana Purchase, and a considerable emigration had started from New 
England to the new territory. It is believed that the settlers in Alast Swamp had 
heard so much of New Orleans that they decided to call their own little com- 
munity by that name. There is no other plausible explanation for the change 
of name. 

In 18 1 3 Governor Oliver Wolcott and some other members of his family from 
Litchfield purchased the water privileges extending from Wilson's Mill southerly 
to the point where the stream is now bridged. In the same year the woolen mill 
was built on the river on what is now known as W'ater -Street. It was during the 
construction of this mill by the members of the Wolcott family that the sugges- 
tion was made to change the name of the valley from New Orleans Village to 
W^olcottville. For over sixty-eight years this was its designation. The first 
schoolhouse was built in 1814 on Main Street. In 1820 the first church was con- 
structed of brick on South Main Street. The "Gazcteer of the States of Con- 
necticut and Rhode Island" in 1819 described the little village as follows: 

"Wolcotville, a village of eighteen houses, has been built principally since 
1802, and is an active, flourishing place. Its growth has been chiefly owing to the 
establishment of an extensive woolen factory, which is now owned principally 
bv his Excellency, Oliver Wolcott. It is one of the largest establishments of the 
kind in the state, employing about forty workmen and manufacturing from 
twenty to tliirty-five yards of broadcloth daily, at an average value of $6.00 
]3cr vard." 

In 1836 the following description appeared in "Barber's Historical Collec- 
tions": 

"Wolcottville, the principal village in the Town of Torrington. is situated in a 
valley near the southern boundary of the town, at the junction of the two branches 
of the Waterbury and Naugatuck rivers, twxnty-six miles from Hartford, and 
forty from New Haven. The village consists of about forty dwellings, a hand- 
some Congregational Church, a three-story brick building used as a house of 
worship by various denominations (also as an academy"), four mercantile stores, 
two taverns, a postoffice, and an extensive woolen factory, and an establishment 
for the manufacture of brass is now being erected. It is believed to be the only 
one of the kind at present in the United States." 




M(iMMi;x'i' i:i;i:rTKi) td ■riii-: Mi^Mmn n[- iiii: sistki;^ hk mi; in ^ kiimmmi'I'dv 



\VATERi;URY AND THE NAUGATl'CK ^"AT.LE^• 389 

In i^o'i the lii>t town meetini:; was liclil in the village, an inn(i\aticin fur the 
town, as all their nieetin,L;s u|) to this lime had heen held on the hills. L'ntil l8'i5 
these eleetions and meetintjs were held in one id' the three elnirehes. hut in the 
latter year the Mcthoilists so1il their nieetiiii;' lumse to the town and it was ehanged 
into a village hall. 1 he altar was taken out, hnt the |iews remained in iilaee for 
the accommodation of the town people. These meetings were held in this old 
Methodist Chnrch until the new (_'ity llall was erected in iScji). 

In i88r the name of the \ illage was ch.angeil to Torrington li\- the Fi.'deral 
postoffice authorities, as there had been great confusion in the mails because of 
the two names by wdiich the town and the village were designated, and because of 
there being a town named W'olcott in Connecticut. The (Government changed the 
name of the village in the western |>art of the town from Torrington to West 
Torrington and gave the n.anie of Torrington to the \'illage of Wolcottvillc. Tor- 
rington was incorporated as a borough in 18S7, its limits being ])r;ictic;illy those 
of Wolcottville. 

No earl\- histor\- of Torrington is complete without a mention of John I'lrown. 
of Ilarjier's Eerry fame. He was born in the northwestern part of the town, 
Mav 0, iSoo, and the old l'.rr)wn homestead is still in existence, although \ery 
much dilapid.iteri, and it is toda\' owne<l by a John I'.rown .\ssociation, who are 
considering making a lohn I'.rown Museum of it in the future. 

Another noted man bm-n on the eastern hills <d' the town was .^amnel I. Mills, 
the father of foreign missions in -\nierica. .\ monument h.as been erected to his 
memory by the citizens of Torrington. 

THE FIRST III(;lnv.\^•s 

The first road in Torrington was nothing more than a tr.ail which followed the 
line of the present highw.iy through the center of Torringford to Litchfield, by 
way of what is now (Md Litchfield Street, and I'our-Story 1 (ill. As earh' as 17,^4 
travelers between Litchfield and the settlements on the (."oimecticut Liver w-ere 
accustomed to use this trail. (.Gradually it became a well-known highway and 
was the first real road that connected Torrington with another settlement. The 
second highway was made about 1760. through its intersection with the road 
through from Torrington to Litchfield. This second highway was twent\- feel 
wide and Main Street follows its course. Shortly after this second road was 
built, another was laid, from the intersection of the first and second roads, to 
^^'est Torrington. The course of this highway was the same as that followed by 
Water Street, .Migeon Avenue and the West Torrington Load. South M.iin 
Street was not laid until 17S6. 

Ti)Ruix<;i-iiRn si:ttli:mi:.\t 

The first settler in Torringford was Aliraham Diblile, or his son, the historian 
does not know which. Dibble came from W'imlsor in 1744. The second resident 
was Benjamin L.issell, \\ho built a house near the Harwinton line the ne.\t 
sprmg. So far as recorded, there were in Torringford in October. 175<), 22 
families, consisting of 1(16 persons, many of whom were small children. A 
petition was sent to the General .Assembly ;it that time, asking that thev be 
exempt from payment toward the support of Lev. Mr. Rolierts, and that thev be 
given permission to maintain worship among themselves. Thev were vvrv pf)or 
and were anxious to be free from public taxes. The next spring another .attempt 
was made to secure freedom from the burden of supporting the church, giving 



.'{90 WAri'J^BUR^' AM) THE NAUGATL'CK \'ALLI-:V 

as a reason, "their distance from the places of worship; the number of children 
and older people who could not go such distance regularly ; the expense attending 
the education of their children, clearing new farms, constructing highways, and 
the many inconveniences of a new country." But their request was not granted. 
This section of the town was called East Torrington until 1761, when New Hart- 
ford gave its consent to the annexation by Torrington of the four miles of the 
west tier of land for the support of the gospel; and a church society was formed 
in 1763 under the name Torringford, the name being made from the names Tor- 
rington and New Hartford. The Torringford church was built in the summer of 
1768. Torringford has always been an agricultural community, and has never 
engaged in industrial ])ursuits to any extent. The nearest to this was the brick 
industry conducted early in the last century on the hill above Burrville. 

The first real manufacturing industry in this section was the making of clocks 
at Ilolljrook Mills in Hart Hollow. Quite a business developed and a number of 
i)uil<lings were erected. As the natural outlet of the place was through Torring- 
ton, the inhabitants allied themselves with Torrington and attended church 
here. Holbrook Mills were established by .Abijah Holbrook. who came from 
Bellingham, Mass., to Goshen, July, 1787, and purchased land in Hart Hollow. 
Mr. Holbrook is described by the historian as a "ijolished gentleman far in ad- 
vance of his generation in that particular." As evidence of the truth of this 
statement it is interesting to recall that he issued an emancipation proclamation 
sixty-five years Ijefore T-incoln issued his. He released a negro man and woman 
who had been his slaves. In his letter of emancipation he expressed the convic- 
tion that "all mankind by nature arc entitled to equal liberty and freedom." 
Elijah Pond, his brother-in-law, came from Cirafton. Mass., in 1790, and engaged 
in the mills and other enterprises with his brother-in-law. It was their intention 
to work the old iron mine on Walnut Mountain, but they gave up this plan after 
investigating the difficulties involved. , 

About 1800 Capt. Elisha Hinsdale came from Canaan to Hart Hollow and 
commenced the manufacture of scythes and axes, engaging also in general black- 
.smithing. Hinsdale succeeded in building up considerable business. His products 
were carried by wagon to the Connecticut River, where they were shii)ped by 
water to many other states. Hinsdale also built a gristmill a little north of Hol- 
brook's on the Hall Meadow Brook. 

.'\bijah Holbrook died in 1812, and two years later his widow, Mary, sold all 
the interests to Erastus Lyman and Thearon Beach, of Goshen, for $2,150, and 
moved to Western New York, Elisha Hinsdale sold his jiropcrty in 1816 to his 
brother and went west. After the death of Holbrook and the removal of Hins- 
dale, the business died out and now there is practically no sign of it. The close 
observer, however, may find here and there the ruins of an old house or shop 
building in Hart Hollow, and desolation rules. 

In February, 1813, Elijah B. T.oomis, of New York, and Abner M. Warriner, 
of Torrington, entered into partnership and built a mill for the manufacturing 
of cotton, woolen and other goods at \\'est Torrington, or Torrington Hollow, as 
it was then called. This plant was built near the bridge on the Goshen turnpike. 
After seven or eight months' operation it was mortgaged in September, 1813, to 
David Wadhams and David Thomas, of Goshen, to procure capital to continue 
business, but the mill did not prosper and in 1827 was sold for debt. The plftnt 
changed hands several times until it came into the possession of Eratus Hodges, 
who for a time conducted the business with some success. Then it was discon- 
tinued and Mr. Hodges and Norris North turned their attention to the clock- 
making business in 1820, and a couple of years later built a facton,- in West Tor- 




RUINS OF THE FIRST FAtTORY OF GAIL ROItni.N CONDENSED MILK COMPANY, 
BLTRRVILLE, NEAR TORRINGTON 







'•' <-.i<--^ ^ 



^f\^%^- 1 






WATKRllURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \'ALLEY :?;)! 

rington. This clock business continued for about four years ami then went to 
pieces. After the clock-making business was discontinued in \\ est Torrington, a 
lock factory was established. The leading spirit in tliis industry was George 
D. W'adhanis. This also languished for a year or iwn, then died. The ne.xt 
industry to be started was that of making skates, which was continued here for 
several years and then removed to another town. The property vacated by tiie 
skate company in i86q was used by Chester L. Smith, of Litchfield, for a toy 
factory. He made sleds for the children and continued the business successfully 
until his death in August, iHy(). After his death, his successor conducted the 
business for some time. There was a gri^tmilI belnw the site of the present bridge 
in 1800, but there is no record nf the man whn l)uilt it or Imw lung it continued. 
The sawmill was built a little up the street, mirllieast of Wrighlville, in the early 
part of the century, and in l.S5() or 1S37 ( )rmel Leach made sonie impro\ements 
in it. lie ran it for a number nf years; then bnik the mill at West Torrington, 
which Willaril H. I'.arber conilucted for many year>. Mr. I'.arber purchased the 
property in 18(18. 

TORRixcTox's i-..\Rr,\- ixnrsTNi.M. i:\r'.\xsi(ix 

The oldest nKinufacturing ciiriioralimi of Turrington is the W'arrenton WOolen 
Comjxanv, formerly the Lnion Alfg. ( n.. under which name it was cdudncted fur 
half a century. 

In 18^7 b'rancis .Vewnian Hnlley, an inm fnmnler nf ."^alisburv. came tn \\ ol- 
cottville, and with John llungerford formt-d what was Isiinwn as the lnion 
Manufacturing Go. In 184W -Mr. llungerford retired and ( lenrge W. ."^lade joined 
Mr. Ilolley in the business, .\t this time they were m.imifacluring tine dne-skin. 
In 1856 a disastrous fire destroyed the plant, but it was imntediately re-erected 
with improved equipment. In iH^n Ransom Ilolley. Samuel Workman and Jesse 
P>. Rose became partners in the business and remained in it until 187^. Tn that 
year the Holley Piros. retired but remained active in the development of the vil- 
lage. In i8()4 the present name, the W'arrentnn Woolen Comjianv. was adopted. 

Francis Holley was one of the main factors in bringing the Xaugatuck Rail- 
road to ^^'olcottville, he and others sul)scri1)ing .S75.<XX) toward the enterprise. In 
t868 he organized the Wnlcnttxille Sa\ings I'.ank. of which he was president until 
his death in 1878. The new imstotiice at the cnrner nf Water and Lrosjiect streets 
is on the site of wh.at was the old Holley homestead. 

!t is to Israel Coe that the town owes its greatest industrv. In 1834 he ]iur- 
chased a mill privilege in W(ilcott\ille and began the manufacture of brass kettles. 
His partner in the eiUerprise was Israel Holmes. In 1841 the jiartnership was 
changed to a corporation and the name of Woleottville Brass Co. was adopted. 
Its cajiital was $5f'),ooo, and its first stockholders were Israel Coe, Anson G. Phelps 
and John Hungerford. In 1842 John Hungerford became president and in 1848 
owned practically all of the stock. In 1863 Lyman \\'. Coe purchased the Wol- 
eottville Ilrass Co., with which he had been connected in 1845, ^"'I started under 
a new corporation name, the Coe Rrass Alfg. Co. From this time on the brass 
industry began to advance and was enlarged later by the addition of the Ansonia 
plant of Wallace &• Sons. On the fnrmation of the .American Brass Co. in 1808 
the Coe Brass Co. became one of its subsidiaries. 

Lyman Wetmore Coe was Torrington's leading citizen from i8()3 to the 
time of his death. It is an interesting fact that he was a lineal descendant of 
Ebenezer Lyman, first settler of Torrington. and of Jonathan Coe, who came to 
the village in 1735, and also of John Wetmore. who united with the Torrington 



392 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

clnirch in 1758. Associated with Mr. Coe in the purchase of the brass company 
were Elisha Turner and James S. Elton, who were then prominently connected 
with the Waterbury Brass Company. 

It was the friendship of Elisha Turner for Lyman W. Coe that induced the 
former to bring the Turner and Clark IMfg. Co. from Waterbury to Torrington. 
This firm also owned the Seymour Mfg. Co., and on May 18, 1863, the two 
companies joined their forces and elected directors of what was to be known 
as the Turner & Seymour Mfg. Co. 

In this same important year of 1863 Achille Migeon returned from New York 
to Torrington, where his parents were living, and organized the Union Hardware 
Co.. with a capital of $12,000. The first factory was located in what is now 
West Torrington, in a building which had been used in 1820 as a clock factor)' and 
later as a lock factory. George D. Wadhams was interested in the making of 
skates in this factory- when it was sold to the Union Hardware Co. In 1865 the 
Union Hardware Co. moved into their new factory, which was built on the site 
of their present location. 

It was in September, 1863. that L. W. Coe purchased of Jesse B. Rose for 
$8,000 the property of the Wolcottville Knitting Co.. consisting of land with 
factor)' buildings, store house, water-wheel, and machinery, dam and all water 
privileges, three houses, etc., and transferred the same to the Turner & Clark 
Mfg. Co., of Waterbury. In the following May, this company moved to what 
was then known as Wolcottville. Among the employees of the Turner & Clark 
Mfg. Co. in those early days was John Hendey, the father of Henry J. Hendey. 
The company also brought to Torrington the firm of Ilopson & Brooks. This 
firm was then manufacturing su,spender buckles in Waterbury. 

In June, 1864, it was purchased by the Turner & Clark Mfg. Co. It was in 
this factory on A\'ater Street that the idea was first suggested and a machine was 
built for pointing the steel for making sewing machine needles by an improved 
method. The leading manufacturers of sewing machines were invited to Wolcott- 
ville to consider the new process, but refused to put any money into the venture. 
It was after this refusal, but not until 1866. that A. F. Migeon, Elisha Turner 
and Charles Alvord formed the Excelsior Needle Co. The swaging machines 
invented by Hopson & Brooks were from time to time greatly improved by Wil- 
liam II. Dayton. In fact, Mr. Dayton probably made more practical mechanical 
and labor-.saving improvements for the benefit of Torrington than any other man, 
but, after all, it was the inventions of Orin L. Hopson and Heman T. Brooks 
which were responsible for the beginning and the growth of a great exclusive 
industry peculiar to Torrington. Prior to 1866, sewing machine needles had 
been made by slow milling process ; it was the Hopson & Brooks invention which 
decided Messrs. Migeon, Alvord and Turner to organize a company to exploit 
their ideas. From a paid-up capital stock of $15,000, with $10,000 in patents, it 
has grown, until today its capital stock is $1,000,000. Today it is owned by what 
is known as the Torrington Company, although the needle company still keeps its 
corporate existence. It manufactures besides needles, knitting machine needles, 
hook needles, spokes and nipples. The capitalists who control it today have 
capitalized it and its subsidiar)' companies at $4,000,000. Under another name, 
the Standard Spoke and Nipple Company, it manufactures only spokes and 
n'pples. 

The Hendey Machine Company was founded in 1870 by Henr)- J. and .Arthur 
Hendey, who began the making and repairing of iron machinery in a small shop, 
using for motive power a rotan' steam engine built by one of the brothers. In 
1871 they took a lease on the East Branch Spoon Shop. In 1874 the Hendey 




THK Tiii;i:i\i: iii\ i.ii;i:akv 




TOKHIX(iT(IX HICH SCHOOL 



WATER15URY AND THE NAUGATUCK \-ALLEV :3!):i 

Machine Company was organized with a capital stock of $16,000. This was later 
increased to $300,000, and is now $<joo,ooo. The conipan)- manufactures lathes, 
shapers. planers and ships them to all [larts of the world. 

In 18.S5 the Torrington Mfg. Co. started its organizatimi with a capital stock 
of $25,000, manufacturing ujiholster)' nails, novelties, special machinery and all 
kinds of hrass turnings. 

In 1857 Charles Hotchkiss and his son. Edward C. Ilolchkiss, purchased the 
old Wilson Mill property with the oldest known water pri\-ilege in that section. 
Henry Hotchkiss, another son, entered the firm in 18(17. In the early "btos. on 
the retirement of the father, the name was changed to Hotchkiss brothers, and 
in 1887, when Edward H. Hotchkiss hecame a memher. the name hecanie Ilolch- 
kiss Brothers & Company. It was not incorporated until May, i8i)i, and it has 
since hecome known as the Hotchkiss Bros. Co. Its cajntal stock at the time of 
its incorjioration was $(.10,000. 

toukincton's school.^ 

The first schoolhouse in the town was huilt inside the stockade of the fi.irt at 
the Lyman place in I7-|I. The second was in Torringford in \J(>4. During the 
early years of the town's history the educational facilities consisted Lirgely of 
private schools, of which there were four at different times. The Torringford 
school was essentially a public institution and w;is supported hy ;i t;i\ lc\ied on 
property in that section of the town. This tax w.is ;it first "penny half-|)eimy on 
the pound," hut in 1770 the tax was 4 shillings on the pmmd. The school was 
under the direction of the Torringford School .Society. L.ater in 1SJ3 Epaphras 
Goodman founded an academy in Torringford. This academy was of a rather 
select character and was for the teaching of advrmced subjects. It continued for 
nearly thirty years and turned out a consider.ible number of studeiUs who later 
became prominent in public life. 

Wolcottville schools grew out of the experience gained by the Torringford 
School Society. The Wolcottville school district was not f(jrmed until iSij. and 
there were no taxes for this district until 1815, although a schoolhouse had been 
built on Main Street, just north of wdiere the W. \V. Mertz Company store now 
stands. It is probable that this was erected by popular subscription. This first 
schoolhouse consisted of only one room until 1818. when another was added. 
About 1840 a one-story brick schoolhouse was built on Litchfield Street, and a 
year later another on George Street. Three years later .another was built on 
Church .Street, west of wdiere the railroad now is. In 1850 Lauren ^^'etmore gave 
to the town the land where stood the high school liuilding. which was destroyed 
by fire in 1913. The original section of that building was erected 'in 18(53. This 
school was called the .-Xeadeniy. The school on George Street was abandoned 
at this time. The first principal was Lucius Clark, who was also in charge of 
the new school during the first two years after its erection. The schools of the 
town were consolidated in the latter part of 1863. There was also in the earlv 
part of the century a school in West Torrington, which had been erected by the 
joint efforts of several men. one of whom was Erastus Llodges. This school was 
continued for some thirty years, 'fhere was an institution called the Brick 
Academy, established in the early days of \\'olcottville on Main Street, south of 
the Center Bridge. 

The town has fourteen school buildings, including those under construction. 
Of these six are. or will be when completed, of fine moilern construction. 

In the last three years Torrington has appropriated between $600,000 and 



394 wat1":hburv and the xaugatuck valley 

$700,000 for new school buildings. This includes the new Grammar School on 
Riverside Avenue, the one on Church Street, the South School and the new 
high school which is also in part a graded school. 

The new high school building, known as the Center School building, which 
cost $300,000, is one of the finest in the country. The Grammar School at River- 
side cost $120,000, and that on Church Street will cost $150,000. 

The site of the new high school building is on Church, extending through 
from Prospect to Barber Street. The frontage is about 233 feet on Church 
Street and 220 feet on Prospect Street. The capacity is about 1,000 pupils. There 
is a minimum of corridor space. There are two courts, and all rooms, including 
auditorium and gymnasium, are lighted by outside windows, without any impair- 
ment of light. 

Upon the first lloor there are, in addition to the executive departments, ten 
class rooms for grammer grades, toilet and locker rooms with emergency rooms 
or hospitals for both sexes, and the auditorium with stage and dressing rooms. 

On the second floor there are five class rooms for grammar grades ; a high 
school study hall for no pupils with three class or recitation rooms in connection 
with it ; a room 24 by 30 for the school library ; the commercial department, two 
large rooms ; toilet and locker rooms for boys and girls, and a rest room for 
women teachers ; the gallery of the auditorium. Upon each fioor the several class 
rooms are so arranged that they may be thrown together into larger rooms if de- 
sired. 

The third iloor, which is devoted entirely to the high school, provides two 
study halls for no pupils each, with six class or recitation rooms: the science 
department : drawing department ; two teachers' rooms ; toilet and locker rooms 
for pu])ils. 

The .science department consists of two large laboratories with a lecture room 
and five smaller rooms conveniently arranged for specimens, preparation work, 
su])plies, ajjparatus, etc. The equipment with its desks, tables, ample hoods, cases, 
etc.. is complete and perfect. The hoods and tables are finished with stone tops 
and fully e(|ui])])ed with gas, water, air blast, electricity, etc. The drawing de- 
partment consists of two large rooms. 

The auditorium seals 650 on the main lloor, 300 on the gallery, and 80 on 
the stage. On the main floor five exits with a width of 35 feet are provided for 
front of room, and additional exits are provided near the stage, in side walls. 
For the gallery there are three exits with a width of 21 feet. Main floor and 
gallery are entered from level of corridor without steps and entrance. The room 
is designed with special reference to its acoustic properties. 

The gymnasium is so arranged that it can be used by boys or girls at will. 
The height is such that a running»track may be put in if desired. The rear en- 
trance jjermits the gymnasium to be used evenings without the occupants having 
access to the Iwlance of the building. 

The Hoard of Education is as follows: Thomas W. P.ryant, George E. Cook, 
Charles IL Alvord, John Calhoun, Dr. T. M. Ryan, Win. Fred Mills, Wm. A. 
Glceson, Rev. Otto Seidcnstuccker. l-Vedcrick W. Fuessenich. The superintendent 
of schools is George J. \'ogel. 

' Cin'KCHKS OF TORRINCTON 

As early as 1739. while the settlement consisted of only a few families, the 
General Assembly was presented with a memorial bearing the names of twenty- 
five men who prayed to be organized into a society, and that taxes might be 




■|lll': Til I III I 1 I i\i.|;i i.A I |(i\.\|. ( 111 |;( II, h i|;l;i\i, |(iN 




MKTIliiDlsr III- Ml \|. (Iirilill. 'rnlMMNCTdX 



WATERBURY AXD THE NAUGATUCK \'ALLK\- ;195 

imposed for the "support of a g(is|icl ministry." History records the organization 
of a cluirch C'ctoher 21, 1741, with the Rev. Nathaniel Roberts as pastor, and 
there is reason for thinking that he preached in Torrington at least a pdrtion 
of the time during tlie first year of tiie existence of the ecclesiastical society. l'"oi 
over thirty years this first church in Torringtou was known as "The Church 
of Christ in Torrington." Like ni.-uiy other churches in the st.ite at thai time 
it \\'as sometimes referred to as I'reshyterian, though without any connection what- 
ever with the Preshyterian Cluirch. Some time after the death of its first pastor, 
in March, 1776, it took the denominational name of Congregational. I'hus came 
into existence what is now the First Congregaticinal Church of Torrington. 

The Torringford church was the next organized, prohahly in .Septemlier, 17(14. 
The society was incurporatcd in < )cto1ier the year licfore, and held its first meet- 
ing under the name of "Torringford" the fulldwing Drcemliei'. The r.-ason, or 
rather the condition, which led to the organization of this second cluirch. and a 
plea which largely influenced the Legislature in granting it riglits of ;i separate 
body, was the existmce of the deep ;uid dangerous sw.imp which the peo]}!e in that 
section of the town were obliged to traverse in order to reaih tlie h'irsl church. 
^^'ith these two churches rests the historv of Congregation.ilisni in Tori-ingtoii for 
more than the next sixty years. 

It w.is not until December .^, iS-'y. th.'it the first organized movement for 
the establishment of what is now the Center t 'ongregational Church was instituted. 
This movement resulted in the formation of the "Village Societv of Torrington," 
and was brought about largely by Capt. Cri T.iylor, whose n;ime is memorial- 
ized in one of the handsome windows, uineiled in iijoo. b'or ne.arlv twenty years 
the gospel had been preached in \\'olc(jttvil]e (now the r.orough of Torrington) 
by various ministeis of different denominations, the people assembling at one 
place and another, not h;i\ing any estalilished house of worship nearer than llu- two 
churches above described, t'aptain Taylc.jr manfully ,ind ])rompll\' stejipcd in .and 
led oft" in the erection of a house of worship, lie therefore gave the land .and 
buiU thereon a Congregational meeting-house, the Ijuilding now occupied in part 
as a library and in part as a school on the corner of Church and I'ros]iect 
streets, before either the society or the church was organizeil. < )thers aided but 
on him rested the greater part of the responsibilitv of the undert.aking. He 
built the parsonage the same w;iy. .and "passed the whole property, of meeting 
house and minister's dwelling, into the hands of the society, without .any claims 
except the reservation of one pew in the church for his descendants as long as 
they shall choose, or shall be here to occup\' it." 

This being done, a meeting was called "of the inh.aliitants of Wolcottville. at 
Capt. L'ri Taylor's. December _^. iS_'c). to take into consideration the expediency 
of forming an ecclesiastical society." This meeting voted. "That \ye whose names 
are hereafter annexed do consider ourselves as formed into an ecclesiastical so- 
ciety to be known by the name of 'The \'illage Societv of Torrintgon.' " Tliose 
to become members of the society soon numbered thirty-two. Their names fol- 
low : Lyman ^^'etmore, John Hungerford, Jr.. W'illiam Leach, Joel Hall, Daniel 
S. Rogers, George P. Bissell, Harmon Cook, George D. Wadhams, Luther I'issell, 
Lauren Wetmore, Elijah Phelps, Samuel Reach, Amasa Scoville, Leverett Scott, 
Elizur Barber, John W. .Scoville, David Baldwin, Samuel Brooker, William Olcott. 
Amos Wilson, John Cook, Israel Coe, Anson Stocking. Asa G. Adams, Charles S. 
Church. Arvid Dayton. Josej)h Barrett, Linus Dunbar, George P. Rolierts. Russell 
C. Abernethy, and William S. LIungerford. 

Shortly after the forming of the societv at this meeting an arrangement 
was made with the Rev. William R. Gould, then ])astor of the First church. 



396 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

whereby he was to preach in the WolcottviUe meeting-house two-fifths of the 
Sabbaths for one year, the other three-fifths of the Sabbaths to be given to the 
Torrington church. Mr. Gould was dismissed from the Torrington church in 
]^\'l)ruary, 1832, and the WolcottviUe worshippers at the meeting-house were 
obliged to get their preaching from other quarters until the church was organ- 
ized on June it, 1832, which was done after the order of the denomination by a 
committee of the Litchfield Xorth consociation. The charter membership num- 
bered twenty-nine, twenty-one being received by letter and eight by profession of 
faith, as follows: David Baldwin, Mrs. Sarah I'aldwin, Sarah Ann Baldwin, 
Elizur Barber, Mrs. Polly Barber, Airs. Lucy Bissell, Ruth Brooks, Rebecca Good- 
man, Sarah Hungerford, Mrs. Charlotte Ilungerford, Mrs. Elizabeth Eno, Mrs. 
Ursula Frost, Nancy S. Goodman, John Hungerford, Abigail Taylor, Lyman 
Wetmore, Mrs. Betsey Wetmore, Lauren Wetmore, Louisa Wetmore, Leverelt 
Scott, Mrs. Leverett Scott, Sarah Wilcox, Lydia Kimberly, Maria S. North, 
Ruhama Smith, George D. Wadhams, and Airs. Lucy Wadhams — twenty-two 
women and seven men. 

The church being thus organized, the "Village Society," at a meeting held 
August 30, 1832, voted unanimously to call the Rev. Hiram P. Arms, D. D., 
to become the pastor of the church and society. He accepted the call and was 
installed P'ebruar)' 7. 1833. serving until July 6. 1836. 

The Sunday school, which now numbers on its rolls over five hundred scholars, 
had its beginning in 1827, while the first meeting house was yet unfinished. It was 
started by Mrs. Charlotte Hungerford, who used to meet a handful of scholars in 
the gallery of the unfinished building, and has grown steadily to its present pro- 
portions. 

The meeting-house given to the society through the generosity of Captain 
Taylor was made to do service for about thirty-seven years. Its interior was so 
remodeled in 1844 as to practically make it a second meeting-house. 

The agitation for a new church edifice took on practical form in 1864, when a 
committee reported $4,375 subscribed for that purpose. This subscription was 
increased to $5,000, of which $3,500 was to be used for reconstruction and $1,500 
for a conference room. Lauren Wetmore was empowered to contract for the 
work. "This," says Doctor Perrin in his memorial sermon, delivered July 9, 1876, 
"was the oiiening wedge of the protracted. peri)lexing. and nobly sustained effort 
of the society, which gave us finally, after long continued struggles, this solid, 
chaste, and truly beautiful granite edifice as a Sabbath home." 

The population of Torrington in those days did not exceed 2,500 and while 
the Congregational communion had outgrown its first church home the member- 
shij) was still a comparatively very poor one to what it is today. It included few 
men of large means, in fact none, as wealth is now regarded. But the indebted- 
ness was paid and the church continued to grow until the need of still larger 
quarters was felt. This want was met by the noble efforts of the consecrated 
women, who, in 1880. built a frame chapel or parish house on the south of the 
church, at a cost of $3,000. 

The first practical steps were taken during the spring and summer of 1897. 
.A.t the annual meeting of the society, held A\n\\ 12th. of that year, the question 
of enlarging was discussed and the society's committee was authorized and in- 
structed to make investigation looking to the improvement of the church property, 
the providing of additional room, to i)repare plans for the same, to make such 
recommendation as it might deem desirable, and to report to some future meeting. 
The contract as finally let provided that the parish house should be built first 
and finished so that it could be used for the regular senHces of the church while 




■'T. KKAXCIS CArHiii.U ( 111 i;( II. '|nK|;|\(,r(ix 




MdNTMKXT at TdliKINCKiilM) T( i MAKK llli; SITK uK I'lKS'r MKKTIXO IKH'SK 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \' ALLEY 397 

the church pruper was being relmilt. This, of course, reciuircd more time than 
would or(HnariIy l)c taken to du the work. The old chapel was moved down to 
the walk, where it continued to he used for Sunday school and society purposes 
until the new building was finished. In 1S99 it was removed to Pearl Street by 
the French Longregaiionalists, to whom it had Ijeen donated, and now, after 
being remodeled, serves them as a neat and comfortable house of worshi]). 

The new parish house was occui)ied early in Alay, lyoo. It is a unitiuc and 
commodious Iniildiiig. On the lirst or main floor is located the parlor, with a 
bay window looking out upon the lawn and street. Sliding doors connect it on 
the west with the Sunday school nxnii. which is also divided by sliding doors into 
two rooms to accommodate the primary and kindergarten departments. The 
larger room is used for prayer meeting and other weekly services. For social 
purposes the whole floor is thrown into one large room. 

On the second floor are located the ])astor's study and a large room fronting 
on Main Street. 

The seating capacity of the church before it was reconstructed was _:553. 
Today there are in round numbers, sitting accommodations for 700 peo]ile, besides 
the 353 seats that may, when occasion demands, be secured by opening the sliding 
doors on the first and second floors of the parish house. These extra a\'ailable 
seats command almost as good a view of the chancel, choir and organ as is to 
be obt.iined from any point of the nave. 

The church now has al.iout seven lumdred meniliers. 

The officers of the Congregational churches in hji- are .as follows: 

First Congregational Church, pastor. Rev. F. II. I'.urt: clerk, Levi Hodges; 
treasurer, W'illard A. Cowles. 

Second Congregational Church, at Torringford. jiaslor. Rev. W'eslev E. 
Page; clerk and treasurer, \\'m. L. Durand. 

Center Congregational Church, jiastor. Rev. Ch.arles T. Patchell ; clerk. I-"rank 
M. Jefl'rey. 

The French Congregational Church was organized in iS()7, located at 40 E. 
Pearl Street. 

John F. .\lvord has erected a beautiful small chapel in llillside Cemetery in 
memory of his paretUs, Charles and .Mmira I'.urtis AUord. It was dedicated 
in 10 1 3- 

Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church I'arish was organized in i!^43, and a 
building was erected at the corner of Prospect and Water streets the following 
year. Rev. Henry Zell became first pastor, in January, 1845. I'le present 
edifice was built in iftjS. The church property has been added to bv gifi and 
purchase until it is now one of the most valuable in the county. The parish 
house was built in tqio. This structure ser\-ed as a temporary' hospital during 
the typhoid fever cijidemic of iQii. The parish has o\er eight hundred com- 
municants. Rev. J. Chaimcey Linsley has been rector since July, 1805. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in iSio, in Newfield. The 
congregation met in the old meeting house there, which was also used by other 
denominations. The first house of worship was built in Wolcottville, in 1843. 
The Methodists had held services in Wolcottville during fiftv-three years pre- 
ceding that date, but there ivas no real church home. The structure built in 1843 
was later used as a town hall. The present building was erected in 1865. 

The membership is now about four hundred and fifty. The president of the 
board of trustees is F. L. Piraman. The Rev. Fred F. A'oorhces is pastor. 

The first service of Calvary Baptist Congregation was held in a temporary 
church, December 8, tSqs, but the organization was not perfected until .'\pril 



398 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

13, 1896. The new church was dedicated October 27, 1(897. It has today a mem- 
bership of about two hundred, and a new pastor (Rev. W. T. Aiken) is to begin 
his services sometime in the fall. The clerk is W. E. Bennett, and the treasurer, 
Benjamin B. I'hillips. 

The Advent Church meets at 44 Barker Street. Its pastor is Rev. Jefferson 
n. Batson. 

The Sons of Jacob, a Jewish organization, hold services in their synagogue 
at 227 E. Main Street. The rabbi is Rev. Jlarry Radetsky. It was organized 
two years ago. 

The African M. E. Zion Congregation meets at to Brightvvood Avenue. Its 
pastor is Edward A. Carroll. 

About thirty-seven years ago the German residents formed St. Paul's Ger- 
man Lutheran Church, holding services first in the Center Congregational Church 
and later in the Methodist Church. On January 6, 1895, the first service was 
held l)y Rev. E. Zwinger. 

In 1900, Rev. Mr. Zwinger was succeeded by Rev. Otto Seidenstuecker, the 
present pastor, who came from Collinsville, where he had been pastor of St. 
Matthew's German Lutheran Church. 

During these years the congregation was continually increasing. In 1903 a 
bell was installed in the belfry of the church, and the following year a pipe organ, 
wliich is still used, was bought from Trinity Church. 

In 1908 it was found necessary to enlarge the interior of the church and 
install a gallery, the latter seating over two hundred people. 

The first Roman Catholic service in Torrington was held in 1835, in the 
building now known as the O'I'rien Block, on South Main Street. This first 
service was held by Rev. James Eitten. Then, until 1842, no services are known 
to have been held, but in that year Rev. John Brady, of Hartford, began to hold 
services once a year in the house of Richard Hennessey, in the western part of 
the village. In 184S, Rev. Michael O'Neile, of Waterbury, was appointed to 
administer to the spiritual wants of the Catholics of the village. Father O'Xeile 
purchased a lot on the east side of Main Street, in T851. and this was the nucleus 
of the i)resent site of St. Francis Church, the parochial residence, the convent 
and the parochial school. The first church building was built in 1859-60. 
Another plot of land was purchased in 1884, and September 13, 1886, the corner- 
stone of the present structure was laid. It was finished in 1888, and the parochial 
residence was erected in 1888. The convent and school buildings, with the excep- 
tion of the newest, were built in 1891. The first resident pastor was Rev. Father 
Isaiah, O. S. F., appointed in 1874. He was succeeded by Rev. John H. Duggan, 
in 1877, who served for two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Patrick Duggan, 
who was pastor until 1911. He was succeeded by Rev. Arthur O'Keefe, the 
present pastor. The church has nearly two thousand communicants. In 1914 a 
new $5,000 pipe organ was installed. 

St. Peter's Italiaii Roman Catholic Church was partially erected in 1908 on 
Center Street. At present services are held in the stone basement. The pastor 
is Rev. Salvatore Ronforti. Its membershi]) is 2,000. 

The Sacred Heart (Slovak Roman Catholic) Church has recently been organ- 
ized. It has its church at 1 10 Grove Street. The pastor is Rev. Stephen J. Panik. 

torrington's banks 

The Brooks Bank & Trust Company is the successor of the Brooks National 
Bank, which became a state financial institution early in 1917. It was founded 




Ki'isi (ii'Ai. I IHIK 11. 'riii;i;iN(;inx 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATL'CK \•ALLE^■ 3I»9 

in 1872 as Brooks l!rothers, Bankers, the organizers being Isaac W. and jnlm 
W. Brooks. The institution became a national bank in 1899. Its capital stock is 
$100,000. Its surjilus and proiits are $115,000. The tleposits arc over one 
million dollars. 

The officers are: John N. Brooks, jircsident ; Charles L. McXcil. \ice jircsi- 
dent : H. E. Mnnson. treasurer; A. F. Austin, assistant treasurer. 

The Torrington Savings Bank was founded as The \\'olcott\illc .Savings 
Bank, in 1868, Francis M. Holley being its first president. Isaac M. Brooks took 
the bank over soon after. Its deposits July i, 1917, were $2. 521, 28c). 43. Its 
total assets, $2,632,436.07. The president is John X. tirooks: treasurer, John M. 
Wadhams. 

The Torrington Xational I'.ank was founded in i8c)<) by its present stock- 
holders. In July, i<;i<i. it increased its capital from $100,000 to $2<X),rK3o. Its 
surplus and ])rohts are $160,000. Deposits are about three millions. ( )n June 1, 
1917, it moved into its fine new building which it had erected at a cost of $75,o(X). 

The Torrington Trust Company was founded December 18, 1916. Its savings 
depositors number 1,650, with de])osits of $2(X),000. It has $100,000 on deposit 
in checking accounts. Its officers are: rrcsident. Harry J. W'ylie ; treasurer, 
Frank .M. Baldwin. 

TORRINCTON's I II.\.MI;I£R ol- ("oM .\n-.RCI': 

Torrington's Chamber of Commerce has been in existence for over Iwcnty- 
five years, starting as a business men's association. It has within the ]);ist few 
years erected a fine three-story building, on North Main Street, at ,'i cost, includ- 
ing site, of $82,000. Its president is James E. Mallette : secretary, I'Vank M. 
Jeffrey; treasurer, John H. Seaton. 

The Employers' Association of I.itchfielfl t'ountx- also have offices in the 
Chamber of Commerce Building. Its jiresident is L. ( !. Kibbe: secretary, (ieorge 
H. Atkins; treasurer, f'. M. Tra\is. 

THE TORRINOTON I.IHR.XKV 

The Torrington Library was founded on ' )ct(jlier 22. 1864, by a group of 
what were then \\'olcott\ille residents, e.ich suiijjlying a quantity of I)ooks. It 
was known as the Wolcottville Library Association. 

Early in 1865 the library and reading room were 0]x-ncd to the pul:)lic. During 
its first fifteen years it occupied rooms in the Granite Block. In 1880 it was 
removed to larger quarters, in the Wetmore Building, on the corner of Church 
and Prospect streets, subsequently called the Library Building. In 1881 it 
became known as the Torrington Library Association, and in i8r)() it was offi- 
cially incorporated as the "Torrington Library." 

The library owes its present equipment to two Torrington benefactors, Lauren 
Wetmore and Elisha Turner. The former, who died in 1890, gave to the pulilic 
for "the establishment of a free public library and reading room," the income 
from the Wetmore Building and personal property to the value of $20,000. 
Elisha Turner, in 1899, gave the site and present magnificent library structure to 
Torrington. Mr. Turner died in 1900 and willed a total, including his previous 
gift, of $100,000 to the association. 

The dedication took place in 1901. The building is of white marble in a sim- 
ple treatment of the Neo-Greek style of architecture. It has a stack capacity 
of 42,000 volumes. Including the late Mr. Turner's collection of rare volumes, 



400 WATERBURY A\D THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

a further gift, the hbrary now has on its shelves 14,000 volumes. G. H. Welch 
is president of the association and Miss L. T. Mason is librarian. 

torrington's y. m. c. a. 

Torrington's Y. M. C. A. was organized on April 7, 189a, its principal sup- 
porters being Isaac Brooks, Charles Alvord, Lyman Coe and Elisha Turner. 
Mr. Turner gave the site for the building and in 1891 this was erected. In 1897 
the debt on the building was paid. The Y. M. C. A. has now purchased the lot 
next to its present site, and hopes to have its new fund large enough to build a 
magnificent structure next year. It has at present a membership of 250. 

Its officers are: Harry J. Wylie, president; W. A. Cowles, vice president; 
John M. Wadhams, treasurer; recording secretary. Mason Turner; general sec- 
retaiy, I.. H. Avery. 

The Women's Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. has as officers: President, Airs. 
Anne Klein; secretary, Jessie F. Capell ; treasurer, Mrs. G. H. Wilcox. 

THE CHARLOTTE HUNGERFORD HOSPIT.AL 

The Charlotte Ilungerford liospital, the gift of U. T. Hungcrford as a 
memorial to his mother, was dedicated October 4, 1916, and gives Torrington 
one of the finest institutions of this kind in the country. During the first few 
months of its occupancy it has given such service to the borough and town that 
a further enlargement will be only a matter of a few years. 

The hospital is situated in the southwestern part of the borough, near the 
suriimit of Four-.'^tory Hill, to the north of the old road to Litchfield, a continu- 
ation of Old Litchfield Street. A driveway of easy grade winds up from Old 
Litchfield Street to the crest of the shoulder of the hill upon which the hospital 
stands. From this site there is one of the most picturesque views to be had in 
the Naugatuck \'alley, and from it the eye sweeps over the eastern hills of 
Torringford, far up the valley toward Winchester, and even discerns the hills of 
Norfolk. The rocks and bushes have been cleared away around the hospital 
and there will be eventually a finely developed park. 

The building is entirely fireproof, three-story and basement administration 
building, with a two-story extension containing the principal wards. The prin- 
cipal entrance is in the middle of the east front of the administration building, a 
little below the first floor level, and marble steps lead to the entrance hall on the 
first floor. From this hall, which has a marble floor and marble pillars support- 
ing ornamental ceiling bejims. open the offices, the reccjition and waiting rooms 
and the elevator, as well as the corridors leading to other parts of the building. 
On the west is the ambulance entrance with a w^ell equipped accident or admit- 
ting room. 

At the south, on the first and second floors, are the large wards with enclosed 
sun parlor at the end. Adjoining them on each floor are the patients' dining 
room, the serving room equipped with refrigerator, steam table, si"" and cup- 
boards, and connected with the kitchen by dumb waiter; the isoku.^a ward, the 
linen room and patients' bath rooms. 

On the second floor, besides the large ward and the room adjoining it, there 
are -six one-bed wards, two two-bed wards, and one four-bed ward. Four of the 
small wards have private baths. In a recess from the hall, on both first and 
,second floors, is a nurses' station with a desk and medicine cupboard, and tele- 
phone and nurses' call signals. 



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n%-?T 




"SI . '■'• 



h^ 



WATl-.KliL'kV AXD THE NAUGATLX'K VALLEY 401 

The third floor is divided and the northerly section is the operaticni suite. 
The operating room has a hirge window towards the north ; the walls are wain- 
scoted with large slabs of white opaque glass and tlie floor is of white tiles. 
Nearby is the anesthetizing room, the sterilizing room, the instnnnent room, the 
doctors' lavatory with hath room and lockers, and the nurses' lavatory with bath. 
The remainder of the third floor is occupied b\- twn rooms which will hi- used 
for X-ray equipment, and four-bed and one-lied maternity wards. ;ind the neces- 
sary service rooms' in connection with tliem. 

Erom the third floor hall, wide glass doors open nut on the ronf o\er the two- 
story extension which is paved with tile and atTords a large, .-liry iiromen.ade with 
a shelter roof at the end against the building. 

In the basement are the kitchen and serving ronm with store rooms, refrigera- 
tors, etc., dining rooms for nurses, and for the help, laboratory, and some bed- 
rooms for the help. There are two wide, easy staircases enclosed with fireproof 
wall and fireproof doors and with outside doors at the bottom of each. There is 
also another staircase at the extreme end of the large ward so that the Imilding 
is unusually well provided with means of egress. 

TOKKixr.TdX's M-:wsp.\ri-:RS — nil'; riccister 

The Torrington Register is one of the leading papers in the X.augatuck \alley 
and its weekly edition is the oldest newspaper in the l)orougli. Its first issue 
ajjpeared August N, 1S74 with ll.arry I'.oltiin as I'ditor. He disposed of it in 
1877 to Charles James, of the Millcrton I .\ew ^'(lrk 1 Telegram and be in iSSo 
sold it to E. A. Hayes, of the Southington K'onnecticut ) I'hienix. In iSSj i lein-y 
M. White, of NorthamiUon. Massachusetts. 1i(iUL;ht ,1 h;df interest, later t.iking 
over the entire property. L'ntil iSPQ it was ciMKhicted as a weekly ,-uid as the 
town had grown b\' leaps there was a general dem:ind fur a daily, and this was 
then started, the weekly also continuing to appear regularly. In i8S() Mr. White 
erected a two stor\- building lui W'.ater Street and the jiapers were issued from this 
location until 11JO5 when its present large and splendidly-equipped building was 
put up. On July S, iN<)S the jiresent corporation was formed and a small ilaily 
called the Item which had been run for a few months was merged witli the 
Register which then became the property of its present stockholders. In \>)i^ 
and 1914 the building was enlarged, and the company now owns one of the best 
newspaper equipments in the .State. The Register is issued as an eight to sixteen 
page paper. In politics it is independent. The officers of the company are: 
Edward II. Hotchkiss, president : Thomas W. Piryant. vice president ; James A. 
Doughty, secretary and treasurer; directors. Geo. W. Peterson; Erederick W. 
Euessenich ; John W. AK.ard ,ind Elisha Steele. 

TllRRIXr.TON NEWS 

The Torrington Xews, published by the Xews Publishing Company, Inc., 
issued its first number containing eight pages on .\pril 17, 1016. That there was a 
demand for the paper is evident from the fact that fifteen hundred paid-in-ad\ance 
suliscriptions were secured liefore the machinerv was installed. .Since Jifly. loi'i. 
The paper has made a remarkable advance in regard to its appearance, its a<lver- 
tisers' list and its circulation. ( )n May 22. 11)17. the Xews removed to the new 
Weston block. No. 120 Water .Street. It began as a one cent paper, but changed its 
price on June 11, 1017. to two cents. Its present officers are: president. S. Carl 
Eischer; secretary, Mrs. James W. Connell ; treasurer, James W. Connell. 



402 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

torrington's elks club uouse 

Torrington, on March i, 1916, opened its new Elks Club House. The build- 
ing is two stories high with mezzanine floor and basement. The exterior is of 
red tapestry brick with steps, copings and other trimmings of marble. The 
scheme of ornamentation is Colonial. Over the central opening on the second 
story entablature is "B. P. O. Elks 372." The cornice is of old Doric style and 
the parapet above has an ornamented clock face indicating 1 1 o'clock. The win- 
dows are in keeping with the Colonial style and have small panes. 

The basement extends under the entire main part of the building and in it 
are the grill room, buffet, three bowling alleys, kitchen, toilet and dressing rooms 
with lockers, and baths with shower attachments. 

On the first floor the front doors open into a lobby extending to the main 
staircase. To the right of the entrance is the secretary's ofiFice with vault for the 
storage of valuables, and to the left is a reception room. The entrances to the 
smoking and billiard rooms are on each side of the staircase. 

On the second floor are social and writing rooms, a ladies' parlor and the 
lodge room. The latter occupies the entire rear part of this floor. On the mez- 
zanine floor arc seven excellently arranged bedrooms, with hot and cold running 
water in each one. Baths and the entrance to the gallery of the lodge room are 
also on this floor. 

torrington's p.\rks 

Coe Memorial Park, which was the homestead of Lyman Wetmore Coe and 
his wife, Eliza Seymour Coe, has been given in the memory of their parents, by 
their children, to the Town of Torrington. The artistic, rough-hewn boulder 
which bears a suitable inscription of the gift was unveiled June i, 1909. It is 
in the heart of the borough and is one of the most beautiful of the smaller parks 
of New England. 

John E. Alvord has just given the town forty-five acres as the site for a park, 
This is !_;/> miles north of Torrington, on the trolley line. It is yet to be laid out. 

HISTORY OF torrington's cemeteries 

Hillside Cemetery, in which the Alvord Memorial Mortuary Chapel has been 
erected, is situated on a hill in the southwestern part of the town. The cemetery 
is sixty-four acres in area. 

This cemetery came into being eleven years ago, and was intended to sup- 
plant the old Center Cemetery as a future burial place for the dead. Center 
Cemetery had become full, or practically so ; leading men of the town foresaw a 
time when another burial place would be absolutely necessary, and they began to 
plan for such an eventuality with the result that Hillside Cemetery was provided. 

Center Cemetery, in the heart of the borough, was established in the early 
days of Wolcottville, and no one ever dreamed that the village would grow and 
expand to its present proportions. This cemeter}' was controlled by the Wolcott- 
ville School Society. 

The rapid growth of the town in the twenty years from 1885 to 1905 caused 
an unexpected demand for plots, and the desirable burial sites were nearly 
exhausted, and no other suitable land adjoining was available. 

In the spring of 1906 the question of some provision for the future became 
more pressing and among those who were active in an eflfort to solve the ])rob- 




T()|;i;i.\(;t(in mm i no :_ it p. o. e. 



WATJ'.RIJURV AND THE XAUGATL'CK \AL1.1A' 403 

lem, and whdse faithful and zealims wurk was rfi;ard(.-d, slmuld be mentioned 
the fcilldwinL; citizens : IJrsanius R. hyler, Isaac \\". L'.rooks. Roliert I'. Swayze, 
John J*'. Alvnrd. James A. Doughty, Luther ( i. Turner. I-Idward il. [lotchkiss, 
C'harles 11. .Mvord, h'rederick F. I'Ttessenich, Ivlisha (. -Steele. I'rank AI, Travis 
and Willard A. Ucirahack. 

The [irolilem ai finding- availahle land within proper distance of the liorough, 
combining the qualifications necessar)- for a cemetery site in area, drainage, 
nature of soil and reasonable freedom from rock was one that re<|uired much 
study and inxestigation. \'arious sites were suggested, which. l)ccanse <if failure 
to meet the conditions reqitired in one or more particulars, were rejected. 

The A. P. Hine projierty, on the hill overlooking the town from the south, 
was first sitggested by James A. Doughty at a meeting held June zj, 1906. Sound- 
ings were made which indicateil the suitability of the ground for burial purposes, 
and the location, with many natural advantages, commended itself to the judg- 
ment of the men esjieciall}' interested. A canvass to secure the money with 
which to purchase and improve the projjerty was started, but the jirogress was 
slow almost to the point of discouragement. 

.At a meeting held September 15. ii)<i(i. a generous offer was recei\(_'d from 
Airs. I'.lizabeth I". Aligeon to purchase and deed to an association formed for 
the purpose of procuring and establishing llillside Cenieter\- the land south of 
the borough known as the Mine tract, and to erect a suitable entrance and gate- 
way for that portion which the association shoukl decide to la\- out and improve, 
provided that a sufficient sum of money, the amount lo be determined bv the 
association, be raised for the ])nr])ose of im])roving and keeping u]) this tr;ict. 

Lender the ins])iration of this gift, the work of raising the necessarv money 
went forward rapidly, and on Decem1)ei- J.S, Kjofi, announcement was made that 
the re(|uired fimd ha<l been subscribed. 

It was laid out by ( )lmsted P>rothers, the famous landscape architects of 
Boston. 

TORRIXGTON's MOROl-CH JilSTOUV 

.Since its organization as a borough in 1S87, Torrington has had nine war- 
dens: Henry J. Ilendey. iSS"; Lyman W. Coe, i88.S-i88g; Walter S. Lewis. 
i8(>o; James Alldis, iScji-iHijj; James .\. Doughty. 1808-190-': George D. \\'ork- 
man, 1903-1004: William H. Dayton. 11)05-11)11 : Russell C. lllakeslee. ioi^-kjis; 
Frank E. Coe. loi'i-iOiJ. 

The following table shows the growth of the Grand List of the I'.orough of 
Torrington : 

• •■^O^ $.:;,269,o9i.oo ie)05 $6,417,470.00 

i^9?, 3.4t--5''^40o loot) 6.656.409.00 

1894 ,^.588.249.00 1907 8.316.400.00 

1895 .^.762,079.00 i<K)8 8.316.400.00 

1896 3,()29.1 13.00 1909 9.203,425.0CT 

1897 4.479.206.00 1910 9.374,057.00 

1808 4.003.227.00 ton 10.014,263.00 

'800 5,279.600.00 1012 to.182, 332.00 

'900 5,886.566.00 1913 14.221.592.00 

1901 6,109,693.00 1014 14.626,701.00 

If>02 5.975,592.00 1915 14.739,091.00 

I603 6,016.663.00 I9I6 15,020.875.00 

'904 6,214,765.00 T9I7 15,814,214.00 



404 WATERBURY AND TTIE NAUGATUCK \'ALLEY 

l'"ollo\ving is its pavement record since 1906 up to January i, 1917: 

Street Pavement Year Sq. Yard Cost 

South Main Tarvia 1913 2,053.00 $ 1,731.91 

South Main Amiesite iyi6 3,995-00 6,oy8.i8 

Water Tarvia 1909 1,872.00 1,651.28 

Water Tarvia 1910 1,805.00 i/'5i-57 

Litchfield Tarvia 1913 944-22 9^5-47 



Totals 10,669.22 $12,1 18.41 

I'lans for a $35,000 sewage disposal plant are now under consideration. 

There are now in use substantially five miles of storm sewers. The fire depart- 
ment inventory shows an equipment valued at approximately seventy-five thou- 
sand dollars, with ife hydrants available and nearly fifty fire alarm boxes. 

The present "City Hall," which is so-called in the ho])e that Torrington will 
soon be incorporated as a city, was first used in 1899. Previous to 1865 the meet- 
ings were held in the churches. 

In 1865 the old Methodist Meeting-house was ])urchased and altered into a 
Townllali. 

The borough officers on January i, 191 7, were: Warden, Frank E. Coe ; 
Ijurgcsses, Mahlon S. Foley. Frederick H. Pialdwin. John DeMichiel, Howard J. 
Castle. Harry \'aill and Constant ISouillon: clerk. Carl P.. F.kvall; treasurer, John 
H. Seaton ; borough sherifT. Wilford A. Sears; collector. Patrick Phalen ; auditors, 
Henry J. Wylie. Dennie Hildreth; health officer, Dr. Elias Pratt: borough engi- 
neer. Charles A. Patterson; superintendent of streets. Harry I. Holcomb; chief 
of ])olice, William K. Nevin ; captain of police. Nicholas Calabrese ; judge of 
Borough Court, Bernard K. Higgiiis ; prosecuting attorney. Thomas J. Wall; judge 
of Probate Court. Willard A. Roraback ; chief engineer. Fire Department. E. J. 
Kelley. 

The town officers are: Selectmen. Charles S. Newcomb. p-rancis N. Hopkins. 
Peter J. Cavanaugh : assessors, Louis Longhi. George H. Atkins, Charles W. Volk- 
man; town clerk, Wm. A. Gleesoia; town treasurer, John N. Brooks. 



CHAPTER XXXI\' 
WINSTED L\ THE HILLS 

ITS HISTORV FROM COLONIAL DA^■S — \VL\STED DOROUGH — POLICE AND FIRE DEPART- 
MENTS — LIGHTING — SCHOOLS — PUBLIC LIBRARY — HOSPITAL — CHURCHES — 
NEWSPAPERS — ITS INDUSTRIES — BANKS — CHAMBER OF COMMERCE — V. M. C. A. — 
WINSTED CLUB. 

Winsted, situated at the head of the Naui^aluck N'allcy, at an elevation of 
1,000 feet, amid the picturesque hills of Litchfield County, is cine of those thrifty, 
progressive manufacturing towns for which New England is noted. Jts site is in 
many respects an ideal one. It is at the northern terminus of the Naugatuck 
division of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad, — three hours' ride 
from New York City, and less than two hours from \\'aterbury, Bridgeport, and 
New Haven. Winsted is the natural gateway to northwestern Connecticut and 
the Berkshire hills, and is the trading center for over a score of towns and villages, 
having a population of 30,000 people. 

The adjoining town on the west is Xorfdlk. which is ni)tc(l for it-- licautiful 
country estates and villas. 

A trolley line connects Winsted with Torringtoii. ten miles down the valley, 
and it is expected that in the future the link between Torringtoii and Thomaston 
will be built, thus giving Winsted trolley connections with the rest of the Con- 
necticut Company's trolley system. 

There are three stage routes leading into \\ insted. one from Alontville, Mass., 
via New Boston, Mass., Colebrook River. Robertsville and Riverton ; a second 
from Sandisfield, Mass., via South Sandisfield, Mass.. North Colebrook and 
Colebrook, and the third from Winchester Center. 

Winsted is an ideal manufacturing town. Mad river. ;i magnificent stream 
of water, comes tumbling down the gorges and uniting with the overflow from 
Highland Lake, which forms a great reservoir of ^Sg acres, circles through the 
town, affording many valuable water privileges. There are over twenty-five 
going concerns, turning out a surprisingly large variety of products, among 
which are clocks and regulators, brass, steel and iron pins, hair pins and clips, 
men's hosiery, underwear, coffin hardware and undertakers' materials, upholstery 
hardware, house trimmings, electric and gas portables and fixtures, bronzes, art 
glass domes and shades, lamps, candelabras, ink stands, pocket cutlery, chisels, 
drawing knives, gauges, scythes, hay and corn knives, cranes, lifts, derricks, bolts, 
milling and other machine tools, special machinery, lumber, sash doors, blinds, 
spool and embroidery silk, piano stools, chairs, sheet brass and copper goods 
numbering over 3,000 articles, etc. The splendid railroad connections permit 
quick shipments to all points. 

A superb water system constructed at great expense and owned by the town 
has been in use for years. The town now has a modern sewer system and has 
during the past year installed a model garbage collection plant. There are 
efficient fire and police departments. There are many miles of excellent side- 
walks and all the principal streets are macadamized as well a'; the main roads 

405 



406 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

Icadinj^- into town, totaling about fifteen miles. Winstcd has just finished laying 
about one and one-half miles of a Warrenite (asphaltic) road. Over $120,000 has 
been expended, mostly by the state, in the improvement of the four prineipal roads 
leading respectively to Norfolk, Colebrook River, New Hartford and Torrington. 

Winchester is the town with which the borough has recently been merged, and 
connected with the town building is the courthouse, where the greater part of the 
court business of the county is done. There are five schools and some beautiful 
churches, and five flourishing hotels wliose reputation for excellent service extends 
far beyond the limits of the state. There is a $30,000 theatre, two national banks 
having capital, surplus and undivided profits of over $600,000, and dej)osits of 
over a million, and two savings banks with over $4,000,000 deposits. 

Winsted has been favored in its public institutions, many of the benefactors 
having been lavish in their gifts. The Gilbert School hiis an endowment of 
nearly $800,000, the William L. Gilbert Home for friendless children an endow- 
ment of nearly $650,000 and the Litchfield County Hospital an endowment of 
nearly $160,000, all having amj)le buildings and grounds and first-class equipment 
throughout. There are two fine free libraries and a centrally located, new, 
$45,000 Y. M. C. A. building. 

The business blocks have an imposing appearance. The Hotel Winchester 
block was erected at a cost of about $100,000 and the Hurlbut Bank building 
cost $40,000 ; then there are the Camp, l>eardsley, Wetmore and Winsted Real 
Estate Co.'s blocks which give Winsted a business-like appearance. The factories 
are nearly all of brick construction. The New England Pin Co. greatly enlarged 
its buildings in 1913. The Winsted Hosiery Co. also spent $25,000 in additions. 
During 1916 the Winsted Edge Tool Works and the Fitzgerald Manufacturing 
plant, both of which were damaged by fire, have been completely rebuilt. 

There are two public parks within the borough, one at the east end with 
soldiers' monument and memorial fountain ; the other, Memorial park, on the 
crown of the hill in the west ]3ortion of the borough, has a commanding view and 
is graced by the beautiful memorial tower, sixty feet high. There is a fine athletic 
field connected with the Gilbert school with covered grandstand, bleachers, and 
dressing rooms. There are three cemeteries in the borough and all are well 
cared for. Forest View cemetery is situated upon a sand knoll and commands 
a charming view up and down the river valley. 

ITS IIISTOKV FROM COLOXI-VL D.W.S 

The land lying within the town of Winchester, of which Winsted is now an 
integral j^art. was a part of that tract known 225 years ago as the "western lands." 
Before 1686 it was owned by the Connecticut colony. When it was learned that 
Sir Edmund Andros had arrived at Boston bearing the authority of the crown 
to revoke the colonial charter of Connecticut and to assume the government, the 
general court fearing the unoccupied lands of the colony would be sequestered 
iiy the haughty Andros. met in January, 1686, and granted to the towns of Hart- 
ford and \\'indsor, "those lands on the north of Woodbury and Matatock, and on 
the west of Farmington and Simsbury to the Massachusetts line north, and to 
run west to Housatunnuck river (provided it be not, or part of it, formerly 
granted to any particular persons), to make a plantation or villages thereon." 

It will be remembered that the charter was never surrendered to Andros and 
upon his flight in 16S9, after it was learned that King James H had been deposed 
and William and ^lary had succeeded to the British throne, the charter govern- 
ment was resumed. 




(iLDI'iST IKllSh: IN WlNSTKl) 
Huilt liy l);i\i(l AiiNtiii alxiut 1771 




nii;i.KV TAXi^itx (ii; rxiDX imitkl. w i;s-i- \\i\sri:i> 

■y«rn .Inwii al>c.ut 1n7i;. St I just wi.st uf j.n.M'iit IluilUiit Na(i..n:il I'.ank 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK X^/KLLEY 407 

Though their title was defective, the towns of Hartford and Windsor did not 
propose to give up their claims to the tract of land hastily granted to them in the 
emergency and twenty-two years after the grant was made a committee was 
appointed to make a survey. 

In order to more fully estahlish their rights, ste]is were taken hy the towns 
in 1715 to lay out a town in the trad and the luwn of l.ilchlield w.as laid out 
ahout 1717. L'jjon its being found that residents ui Farniington had secured 
Indian titles to a jKjrtion of the tract, a Cdnipromise was ni.ide wilh the)U. After 
the land within the new town of Litchlield had heen dispn'^ed of to settlers, a 
committee was appointed to lay out a new lownshi]) north of lliat. The com- 
mittee's report was accepted in 17-3, the new town embracing the east side of 
Cornwall, the whole of ('lOshen, the west half nf 'rorringt(in and the southwest 
corner of Winchester. 

The general assembly seems to have awakened to the situation at this time, 
for at the spring session in that year the king's attorney for New Haven county 
was directed to prosecute the tres[)assers in the name of the governor, and the 
company and five members of the committee .'ippointed to di^pose of the land 
were arrested and prosecuted. 

-\s a result of the controversy, the general .-issembly in the < )ctol)cr session, 
I7_'4, appointed a committee to investigate the cl;iinis of ll.irtford ;uiil Windsor 
and upon the committee's report, wishing to jiresi-rxe the pe;ice .and to have the 
lands settled ;is expeditiously as possible, the general assembly .at the iM.ay session, 
1726, decided that the lands in controversy should be dixidrd between the colony 
and the towns. The line of division coincided wilh the di\iding line between 
Colebrook, Winchester and Torrington on the east, and ( loshen and Norfolk on 
the west, and the colony took the western section and the towns the eastern. The 
territory conceded to Hartford and W'indsor embraced the towns of Colebrook, 
Hartland, Winchester, llarkhamsted, Torrington, Xew Hartford, llarwinton and 
Litchfield, making an area of aliout 320. Sof) acres, while there was reserved in the 
colony the land embraced in the towns of Canaan, North Canaan, Norfolk, Corn- 
wall, Goshen, \\^arren and about two-thirds of Kent, making an area of about 
120,000 acres. 

The lands were ne.xt surveyed and divided into townships and on h'ebruary 
II, 1732, the towns of Hartford and Windsor executed deeds of partition by 
which the inhaljitants of Hartford became the owners of Hartland, Winchester, 
New Hartford and the eastern half of llarwinton and the inhabitants of Windsor 
had Colebrook, Barkhamsted, Torrington and the western half of Harwinton. 
A law was passed by the legislature jiroviding for the subdivision of each of the 
towns among the taxable inhabitants, Ijy assigning to each his whole interest in 
one or another of the townships. The land-owners of each township were incor- 
porated as proprietors, wdth the power to allot to each his ])ro rata share accord- 
ing to the taxable lists of 1720. 

The oldest conveyance of lands recorded in this town is dated November 2S. 
1729, by which John Kilbourn of Hartford con\-eyed to Jonathan and David 
Hills of Hartford all his rights, title share and interest in and to a large tract of 
land commonly known as the "western lands" belonging to the towns of Hartford 
and Windsor. 

On May 14, 1744, the 106 proprietors of Winchester were called together 
and organized, William Pitkin being chosen moderator and Thomas Seymour 
clerk and register of deeds. Other meetings were held relative to the division 
of the township in 1750. 1751, 1753, 1756, 1757 and 175S. During the twenty- 
nine years that the Hartford proprietors took to consummate a plan of division. 



408 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATL'CK VALLEY 

many of the owners sold their undivided rights, giving deeds for the same. 
Caleb Beach of Goshen secured one of these undivided rights by deed of May 21, 
1750, and a short time afterwards, believing, evidently, that a division of the 
land would not take place for some time, he appropriated a small tract on the 
east side of the liall Meadow road about forty rods east of the Goshen line and 
a half mile north of the Torrington line and erected there the first dwelling house 
in the town. 

Settlements were made in Goshen, Norfolk and Canaan before the allotments 
were made in Winchester, and a trail was used to reach them passing through 
New Hartford across the northeast corner of Winchester and the southwestern 
part of Colebrook to Norfolk Center. It is not definitely known just where it was 
located. Jt is believed to have been the first to have pierced the town and to have 
been traveled for twenty years. Because of a demand for a better road both for 
settlers and for the "accommodation and benefit of his Majesty's subjects and 
especially in time of war, for travelling or marching either from the central or 
eastern parts of the colony" towards Albany, the general assembly in 1758 ap- 
pointed a committee to explore and find out a better way. As a result a new 
road known as the "old north road" was built within the next three or four years. 
Up to 1 800 this was the principal thoroughfare of the colony in the direction 
of .Albany. It passed over Wallins hill by the schoolhouse down to Still river by 
Rollin Wilson's, then up Smith hill and by the Rowley pond to Colebrook. It is 
said that "continental troops passed over it for frontier service," among the num- 
ber being Col. Ethan AUen, and that "detachments of Burgoync's army, as prison- 
ers of war, marched over it to the quarters assigned them." Another trail 
through the township was the "old south road," passing from Burrville up by 
Landlord Matt's tavern on to the south part of Norfolk. 

At the meeting of the proprietors January, 1758, a committee was ai)pointed 
to draw lots to determine the order in which the land should be set ofif to them. 

The first census of the colony taken in 1756 gives the population of Winchester 
as 24. The largest town in the county was Woodbury, with 2,91 1, more than twice 
that of any other town. The next census was taken in 1774, and gave Win- 
chester T^2~ whites and 12 blacks. Woodbury then had 5,224 whites and 89 blacks. 
Westmoreland had 1,922. This was one of the towns of Litchfield county and 
comprised the whole of the valley of Wyoming, Pennsylvania. 

Under an act of incorporation, the first Ecclesiastical society meeting was 
held Time 29th, 1768, and organization was perfected. 

The early records of the society are extremely interesting. Services were held 
at John Hill's house, near the Hurlbut cemetery. Some time during the year 1769 
the first meeting house was erected on the west side of a road which was discon- 
tinued long ago, near the Luther Bronson place. It was 24x30 feet, with nine- 
foot posts supported by log piers and was unfinished inside. The steps were 
hewn out of a log and an outside stairway led to the second floor, which was 
used as a gallery. Services were held there for twenty years. There was no 
heating apparatus except the "foot stoves of the women, and the sound doctrine 
of the minister." 

The first town meeting under an act of incorporation was held July 22nd, 1771. 
The record of it is as follows : 

"At a town meeting of the Inhabitants of W^inchestcr. lawfully assembled on 
Monday, the 22nd day of July, 1771. 

"Warren Gibbs chosen Moderator of sd. meeting. 

"Eliphaz Alvord chosen Town Clerk and sworn. 

"Jonathan Alvord and Seth Hills, and Samuel ^^'etmo^e, Jr., chosen Towns- 
men. 








STOXE CHIMXKV OX SITI-; llF KIKST IKUSI-: l!l ll.T 1 \ W INCI IKSTKR, 17JG 




FIRST FKAME HOUSE IX WINX HESTEK 
Built liv Calol, lifiuli. li".i; 



WATEKBURY AND THE NAUGATLXK \AELI':V 40:» 

"Robert Mackiine chosen Treasurer. 

'A\'arham Gibbs chosen Constable. 

"Abraham Filley chosen Grand Jury Man. 

"Ohvcr Coe and Noah Gleason and David Goft" chosen Survesors of lligli- 
way.s. 

"Josiah A\erit and Joseph Hoskin chosen Fence X'iewers. 

"Robert Mackune chosen Leather Sealer. 

"Adam ]\Iott and Beroni Hills chosen Tythint; Men. 

"X'oted, that David Austin's cowyard be a jjound for the present. 

"V'oted, that a Maple tree near the nieeting'-liouse shall be a si,t;n-post. 

"David Austin chosen key-keeper. 

"Voted, that the Annual Town Meeting;' in this lnwn shall be cm llic lirst 
IVfonday of December, at nine of the clock in the morniny; at the .Mt-etinj; I iciuse 
of said Town, and that the selectmen shall set U]) a ndtiticatiun on the sii^n-post 
twelve days before the said lirst Monday for sd. nieetinj,'. 

"Test. Eliphaz Alvord. town clerk." 

Winchester men had an honorable part in the rexolutionary \\,ir. The lir^t 
reference to it in the tnwn records was made in the annual town nu'elint;' cif 1773, 
when it was voted "that the troo])ers be frin-d from jiayint; anythini;- for tlieii' 
colors," and "to raise two-pence half-penny (in the list of 1775 to purchase a town 
stock of powder and lead, and also to ]iay other necessary eharijes arisins,'' in the 
town." 

Seventeen soldiers frnm this tnwn went tu Tieunderiioa in 1775 to Gaptain 
Sedgwick's company. Colonel Hinnan's regiment: two marche<l to the relief of 
Boston on the Lexington alarm, and so on. it wduld ^eem that abdiit all the men 
in the town enlisted at one time or another during the war. 

.\t the town mi-eting J.an. 13. 177!^. the .\rticles of Ccinfederation were pre- 
sented for ap]iro\al ;m<l by xote on each snccessixe article were aece])t('d. ;ind 
thereupon the oath of lidelity ti) the state of Cnnnecticut was administered to 
those present and certilied in the records. The names of the others who took the 
oath later were also recorded. 

Three events of great momeiU to this tnwn were the opening of the Green 
Woods turn]iike, the Naugatuck railro.ad, and the Comiccticut Western r;iilroad. 
The former occurred in 1709. Up to that time the only road connecting the two 
sections of the town was one coming down the hill from the lake bv .Austin's mill 
as far as Main Street, then northerly to Hinsdale .•'Xvemie, thence easterly to 
Still River, and up \\'anin's hill to the "old north road." This was the onlv wav 
of reachitig Hartford or any of the eastern towns of the state, and was a rough, 
hilly road to travel. The only building on the present line of Main Street, from 
Henry Street to Still River bridge were Lligley's tavern, where K. T. Sheldon's 
photograph building stands, the foundation of the chimney of which is still to 
be seen there, and a gambrel-roofed house on the site of Mrs. ]Moses Camp's 
residence. Boyd says ; "The opening of the Talcott mountain and Green Woods 
turnpikes was an event as auspicious to our fathers as was the opening of the 
Xaugatuck railroad to their children or as is the majestic march of the Con- 
necticut Western railroad trains up the Norfolk hills to our present community." 

Again Mr. Boyd says: "The iron horse paid his first visit to the Winsted 
depot Sept. 21, 1849. The first passenger train came up on Saturday-, the 22nd, 
and returned on the following Monday." 

The Naugatuck Railroad Co. was granted a charter in 1845 fo build a road 
from Derby to Plymouth. L^pon receiving a bonus of $,^0,000 and payment of 
land damages, Alfred Bishop and others had agreed to complete the line to Water- 



410 WATia-iBURY AND THE NAUGATl'CK VALLEY 

bury by 1S49. In 1847 the company was authorized to cxtcind the road to Winsted, 
which Mr. liishop agreed to do for another bonus of $30,000 and the right of 
way. Citizens of Winsted assumed half the bonus and all the right of way in 
this town and citizens of Torrington and Plymouth the other half of the bonus 
and the remainder of the right of way. There was some bickering as to whether 
the station should be at the Winsted park, the "flat" or in the "west village." 

In 1866 a charter was granted to the Connecticut Western Railroad Co. with 
power to construct a road from Collinsville to the Massachusetts line at North 
Canaan. In 1868 the Dutchess and Columbia Railroad Company and the Con- 
necticut Western Railroad Company got a new charter to build from Hartford 
to Collinsville. thence connect with the line previously chartered and then by 
diverging through North Canaan and .Salisbury to connect with the Columbia 
and Dutchess road. On August 22, 1868, the town of W'inchester, by a vote of 
366 to 66, voted a subscription to the stock of the company of five per cent on its 
grand list, amounting to $116,000, and individual citizens of the town subscribed 
for $74,900 more of the stock. The other towns followed Winchester's example. 
The first passenger train went over the road from Hartford to Millerton and 
returned Dec. 21, 1871. 

The rapid growth of Winsted in the early years of its history was due largely 
to its manufactures, which increased and prospered largely because of the splen- 
did water power that was to be obtained. The first grist mill was that of David 
Austin. The second grist mill was built on the site of the Gilbert clock factory, 
about 1776, by Elias Balcomb. The saw mill also made its appearance early in 
the settlement of the town. The first one was operated by Deacon Samuel Wet- 
more and w-as near the old meeting-house. A vote was passed in 1779 regard- 
ing the water privilege connected with it. Besides turning out lumber, both rough 
and finished, these mills got out white ash sweeps, oars, and materials for ship 
blocks and they were carried to Hartford for river navigation. Dish mills for 
making wooden bowls, trenchers, and mortars became accessories to the saw mills. 
It is said there were eight of these in operation in the town before 1800, four 
being on the lake stream. John McAlpine is spoken of as having built a shop 
in Winchester early in the last century for making scale boards, used for separat- 
ing cheeses when packed in casks. Later cheese boxes were made in the same 
mill. 

I'enjamin Jenkins and James I'oyd established the third scythe factory in 
the country, on Still River in 1792. At least four others were built here within 
the next forty years, and it became a leading industry in the town. In 1795 
Jenkins and I'.oyd erected the first forge in Win.sted. on the lake. They "manu- 
factured refined bar iron from the best quality of Old Salisbury Ore. Three 
others were erected in town within a dozen years." This, with the scythe busi- 
ness, constituted the staple manufacturing business of the town until T840. 

A machine for cutting shingle nails was operated by James Boyd for a 
short time in 1808. Two years later James Byington erected a nail factory near 
the Winsted scythe works and for a time during the war of 1812 he had more 
men in his emjiloy than any other factory in town. 

Elizur Hinsdale established a factory for making axes, near the head of the 
lake, in 1804 or 1805. 

The first wire facton,' in the country was erected on the west wing of the clock 
factory dam in 1812 by Samuel and Luther Hoadley and James Boyd. 

There were at least three shoemakers who did tanning in town before 1800. 
;\fter it was found that hemlock bark could be used as a substitute for oak bark. 
Col. Hosea Hinsdale and Col. James Shepard erected a large tanner>' at the foot 
of Spencer Street in 1802. Three or four other tanneries were erected later. 




II !t 



I 






■m^ 



.HI i-.i;,-- Ml. Ml lUi.u. [ w,\ 1,1, ,\ i\^ I i:ii 



WATI'KLiURY AXD Till'. XAUCATL'TK N'ALLEV 411 

loscjih I'latt Imilt tlio first clothiiiL;' shu]) ami fulliiii;' mill in Danbury iniartcr 
between 17X3 and I'^J- Daniel Mar>liall \va^ the first clulhniaker in \\ inslecl. 
He had a '-ho]) and fnllini;' mill on Lake Street before 1794. A eariiint; machine 
was added later. 

In i'Si3 Rockwell Bros, bet^an the manufacture of broadclotlis and satinets 
there. Three other factories of a similar nature were established in town. 

Samuel and Luther lloadley and Kiley W'hitint^' beg-an the manufacture of 
wooden clocks about 1S07. 

Two firms began to make liand and machine cards at the beginning- of the 
war of 1812. 

There were four or five shops for making wagons in the early part of the 
last century and others were built later on. 

A distillery was in o])eration on W'allins Street soon after the close of tiie 
war of tSi2. 

.\n oil mill was erected on Mad l\i\er, west of Clifton mill, by I'.issell Hins- 
dale about iSiO and was operated for a number of years. 

Iron clock bells were manufactured Ijy Hoadley I'.ros. aliout iSio. 
.\ foundry for casting stoves, plows and gears was operated by XatJianicI 
Gavlord from 1834 for twehx' years. Four or li\e other iron foumlries have since 
been established. There have also Ijeen sever.ij machine sho])s. .\s the middle 
of the last century was approached, many other industries sprang up, some of 
vvliich are in operation today. 

One concern was in operation which it is to be regretted could not have been 
retained, as it is now of immense proportions, lloyd says of it: "The i'.orilen 
Condensed Milk Co.. consisting of Gail liorden. Theron i'.ronson and I'.lhanan 
W. Fyler, was organized in 186:5 and iiurehased the factory building lu-ar tlie 
Naugatuck Depot, now occupie<l by the W'insted Lrinting Co.. in which they 
condensed milk until 18(1(1, when, iKJt Imding the location favor.aiile for the busi- 
ness, the concern was wound u])." 

A petition was made to the general assembly in irS'd for llu- incorpin-.ation 
of the easterly part of Winchester and the p.art of I'.arkliamsted west of the 
Farmington l\i\er into the town of W'insted. The west boundary was to be 
Highland Lake and the second tier line which extended just easterly of Coe 
Street. The petition was continued to the sessions of 1787 and 1788 and finally 
rejected. The last attempt to divide the town was made in 1790 and proved 
unsuccessful as before and the ]iroject was finallv given up. 

In the Annals of Winchester. Mr. Doyd descrilies a visit he made to Win- 
chester center at ;i Fourth of July celebration in 1810 or 1811. He wrote in i^art 
as follows: "The whipping post and stocks, those indispensable pillars of New- 
England law and order, stood on the green near the meeting house. The post did 
extra duty as a sign-post on whicli public notices were fastened and to which 
when occasion required the petty thief was tied to receive from the constalile his 
five or ten lashes "wel] laid on to his naked back.' The 'stocks' were an up]ier and 
lower plank, say six feet long, eight inches wide and two inches thick, the lower 
one lying edgewise near the ground, mortised at one end into the post and firmly 
fastened to the ground at the other. The upper plank was attached to the post 
at one end by a heavy hinge so that its lower edge came in contact with the upper 
edge of the other, and they were held together hy a hasii and iKidlock at their 
outer ends. At the hne of junction of the two planks were four holes, half in 
the upper and half in the lower plank, about three inches in diameter, ranged at 
suitable distances for receiving the ankles of two culprits." 

Winchester's part in the civil war requires a volume to tell the story of the 



412 WAIF-RBURY AND Tllli NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

braver)', the sufferings, the sacrifices, the successes and victories of the honored 
men who risked their lives in the great struggle to preserve the union. Three 
soldiers' monuments in the borough attest in a degree the reverence which pos- 
tcritv has for those noble heroes. 

BEGINNINCS OF WINSTED BOROUGH 

In order, it was said, to secure an efficient fire organization, an application 
was made to the general assembly in 1833 by a number of inhabitants of the 
west village for a borough charter, under the name of Clifton. The section be- 
tween the two villages of East and West Winsted having been partially built up, 
an ap])lication was made to the general assembly in 1858 to repeal the defunct 
borough charter of Clifton and to organize a new borough covering both sections, 
to be known as Winsted. The charter was granted in Jime of that year, and officers 
were elected on August 2nd as follows: Warden, William H. Phelps; burgesses, 
Rollin L. Beecher, Edward Camp, John T. Rockwell, Charles Cook, Charles B. 
Weed, John G. Wetmore ; treasurer, John Hinsdale; bailiff, Caleb P. Newman. 

The borough authorities went immediately to work. They had a survey and 
I)l;in made of all the streets within the borough. The street through the center 
of the "east village green" was closed and parallel streets opened on the east and 
west sides. The intervening space was then fenced, graded and planted with trees 
by private subscriptions under the corporate name of "Park Place" at a cost of 
about $2,000. The first sidewalk ordered to be graded was on the northerly and 
easterly side of Main Street, from the park to Spencer Street, a distance of a 
mile and twenty rods. Tt was to be rounded to a width of five feet. Part of it 
was at first jjlanked, and later covered with concrete and the remainder flagged. 

THE BOROUGH WATER WORKS 

On August 30, 1858, the warden and burgesses were instructed "to ascertain 
whether the borough has a right to draw water from Long Lake." 

As a result, the general assembly at its ALay session in i860 gave authority 
to the borough to take water from Long Lake or Little pond for fire and other 
pur])oscs and to raise the surface of the water in the lake or pond four feet above 
the high water mark. The water could be taken only for fire purposes until the 
water had risen two feet above the waste- weirs as located at that time and the 
outflow for manufacturing purposes was not to be wasted in greater quantity than 
theretofore. A permanent loan of $25,000 was authorized to secure the rights of 
flowage, construct the dam, lay mains, etc. A provision was also made for the 
appointment of water commissioners and for the establishment and collection 
of water rents. 

On August I. i860, Lyman Case, John T. Rockwell and William L. Gilbert 
were elected water commissioners and they were directed to make the contem- 
plated improvements. 

During the administration of Dr. H. Hungerford Drake as commissioner, from 
1872 to 1879, the bulkhead was rebuilt, the embankments strengthened and the 
combination waste weirs and roadway built in place of the bridges. As the years 
went by, the system was extended through new streets about the borough. 

Tn order to improve Winstcd's water system still further, on June 11, 1890, 
William L. Gilbert attached a codicil to his will giving the borough $48,000 
to tunnel the mountain between Ru.gg Brook and Crystal Lake, provided the 
borough would construct proper dams and canals before June 11. 1895, so as to 
make a reservoir ,n the Rugg Brook basin and greatly increase the outflow. 




MAIN sTi;i:i:r. w i-ist w ins'ikd. is;.-,, nkai; i'i;i:si:\ i' -i . .\i. ( , a. 




MOW V. M. (. A. liril.lllM., WINMKIi 



WATI'RBURY AND THE NAUGATIX'K X'AIJ.FA- 41:? 

As a result of Mr. Gilbert's generous bequest, at a iiiecting July 29, i8c)2, the 
borough appropriated ^40,000 and appointed T. C. Richards, ( i. 1'.. Owen, Henry 
Gay. l)avid Strong, R. H. Moore, J. E. Spaulding, Edward l"inn, R, K. Holmes, 
E. P. W'ilco.x, E. A. Nellis and H. H. Drake a committee to carry on the work. 
The sum of $35,000 was also appropriated to raise Crystal Lake ten feet and lay 
water mains to the borough, the latter work to be done under the supervision of 
the water commissioners. T. C. Richards was elected president of the commit- 
tee, Henry Gay vice president and H. H. Drake secretary. On January 31, 189,?. 
contracts were signed with Rabcock, Lary & Co. to tunnel the mountain and 
construct Rugg Brook Reser\-oir and the works connected therewith. E. P. Wil- 
cox and H. H. Drake were appointed a special committee to supervise the work. 
The tunnel was constructed through snlid ruck about 6 feet high, (1 feet wide, and 
nearly 4,000 feet long. The masonry clam .at Rugg Brook is 2(j feet high. 21) feet 
thick at the linltum and yx) feel long. Two earth dams were built, one being 20 
feet high, 112 feet thick at the base and 32 feet lung, the other 14 feet high, 168 
feet long, 73 feet thick at the base with a masonry core. The masonry d.am 
across Mad River is 14 feet thick at the bottdin and idS feet long. Crystal Lake 
was raised 10 feet by a rubble masonry dam 54S feet long and ri feet thick at the 
bottom. The surface of the lake was increased in area from 96 acres to 146 acres 
and in cubic contents the lake w-as increased 53,143,200 feet. On March 4, iS()3. 
the water ran over Rugg Brook dam for the lirst time and four days later it r.m 
through the tunnel. The water ran over Crystal Lake Dam December 5, 1893. 
and on July 20, 1896, it was turneil into the new mains for the tlrst time. 

By the provisions of the revised charter of the borous^h adopted in [X')J. the 
ofifice of water commissioners was abulishcd on the first Monda\- of .M.av, in that 
year, and a superintendent of water works elected in their pl.ice. 

In October, 1908, in order to increase the water snp])ly in Crystal Lake, tiie 
dam was raised twelve inches and in iijio, to pre\-eiit extravagant w.aste, water 
meters were placed in the factories and the places of business of large users of 
water. 

There are now aljout twenty-si.x miles of water main laid, ranging in size 
from twenty-four inches down to four inches. 

In 1015 the commission form of government was adopted, consolidating the 
government of the Town of Winchester and that of the P.orough of Winsted. In 
1917 these are the board of selectmen in charge of the afl'airs of the town: 
Patrick J. Darcey (who had been warden of Winsted for four vears prior), 
chairman; James J. Bannon, Edward R. Eeckley, Horace .\. Hotchkiss, James J. 
Walsh : town clerk, C. Wesley Winslow : assessors, Geo. L. Eoskett, Erancis Sage, 
Mills T. Carter; registrars of voters, John J. Winn, Eelix (Gallagher; treasurer. 
T. Albert Smith ; collector, John J. Burke. 

I'OI.ICE .\XD FIRE DEI>.\RTMI-:XT 

When the town building was erected in the late '70s, jirovision was made for 
a station house in the basement, three very strongly built cells being constructed. 

The town court of Winchester having jurisdiction of all the criminal business 
withm the town was established the first of June, 1899, thus doing away with 
the trials for criminal oi^'enses before justices of peace, as had been the custom. 
The wearing of police uniforms was inaugurated in i88<), and the keeping of 
police records in May, 1802. There are four officers now on dutv at night, one 
remaining at headquarters from 6 o'clock P. M. until 3 .V. M.. and three doing 
patrol duty from 6 o'clock P. M. through the night, two going off at 5 o'clock 



414 WATERP.CjRY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

A. Al. and one at () o'clock .\. M. The- present sui)erinlendent of police is 
Stephen C. Wheeler. 

'llie Winsted fire department, which was first organized in i8()2, now con- 
sists of four well organized and equipped hose companies, occupying commodious 
and up-to-date fire houses of hrick construction in as many different parts of the 
borough, representing an outlay of about thirty-five thousand dollars, a hook and 
ladder company and an engine company. LTnion Hose Company No. i is located 
at the corner of Main and Munro Streets in the west end of the borough, and has 
the new combination hose and chemical truck. Winsted Hose Company No. 2, 
Winsted Hook and Ladder Company No. i and Winsted Engine Company No. i 
are housed in the borough Building on Elm Street, in the business center, and all 
three are equipped with horse-drawn apparatus. The chief of the fire depart- 
ment in I (J 17 is Charles Stone. 

winsted's sewer system 

In 1910 Winsted engaged the servdces of Rudolph Tiering, an expert sewerage 
engineer, and Joseph Young of New York to lay out a feasible plan for a sewer 
system. This, together with a garbage collection system, is in effect now, in 
modified form. 

winsted's LIGIITINC, SYSTEM 

The \\'insted Cias Co., which was organized in 1861 and incorporated mider 
the laws of the state, has the contract for lighting the borough and also furnishes 
the residents with gas and electricity for heating, lighting and power purposes. 
The gas works arc located on Case Avenue and Gay Street, as is also the new 
electric light and power station. The first electric light station was built in con- 
nection with the plant of the Winsted Edge Tool Works, but after two years, in 
the fall of 1888, an electric station was erected at Tunxis Falls, Robertsville, and 
since then the current for lighting the streets has been generated there. 

HisToin' or winsted's schools 

The history of Winsted's schools goes back to December 17, 1773, when the 
first educational tax was passed. The district thus early established was continued 
until J()0(), and it was not until recent years that the plan of the originators was 
generally declared inadequate. With each district providing for its own children, 
however, it was found that while the schools within the old borough had kept up 
with the times, those in the farming districts had been neglected, and with the 
steadily decreasing number of rural families, the matter of giving such children 
the proper attention was each year getting to be more of a problem. Consequently 
the plan of transporting children from one district with poor accommodations to 
one with ampler privileges was begun and met with success. 

In IQ09 the town voted to consolidate the districts, and today it would seem 
that Winsted will stand among the leaders in the way of graded schools. The 
committee is constantly devising and recommending ])lans for the improvement 
of conditions both in the borough and in the outlying districts. In 191 1 $5,000 
was ai^propriated for a new school building at Winchester, to improve the school 
facilities in that section. 

Taking advantage of the provisions of the statute of the public acts of 1902, 
the board of school visitors on September 5. 1904, voted to unite with the Town 




.h '^ 



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nil' % ^ ' 



-Ml Miiiii \i, i.ii;i;.\l;V. \\ IXsTKl) 





TllK \v. I,. i;ii.i;i;i;t s( ikkil. wixsthd 



VVATERCURY AND THE NAUCATL'CK X'ALLPI'i" 415 

of Norfolk to f(irm a joint supervision district and this arrantjcnicnt is still in 
effect. (3nc-half of the sum paid to the sui)er\isor is returned by the state and 
as the supervisor spends two-thirds of the time in Winchester, this town hears 
two-thirds of the remaining expense. 

Improvements that have come since the consolidatiim of the districts include 
medical inspection, the regular employment of a truant ofticer, ;uid the h(jlding 
annually of approisriate commencement exercises. 

The report of the school committee for the year n;i() shciwed a tutal of over 
twenty-two hundred children between the ages of fnur and sixteen in tiie tnwn. 
Tin- su[)erintendent of schools in 1917 is Frank F,. h'isk. 

In addition to the puljlic schools, Winsted has a parochial school which is 
maintained by St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church without exjjense to tiie 
borough. This school is located north of the church on < 'ak .Street, and is under 
the direction of the pastor. .Sisters of the Third ( )rder of St. h'rancis act as 
teachers. Upwards of four hundred children attend this school regularly. 

The Gilbert School, — the high school of Winsted, — stands .al tiie east end of 
Main Street, facing the jiark. 

The school was founded in irS'(j5 by the ])equest of the late William L. (iilbert, 
who for many years was one of the town's leading business men. .\lth(jugh the 
school is a private institution, supported entirely from it> (jwu eiido\\Mnent, it is 
entirely free to the youth of Winchester, the endow nieiu left by .Mr. Cilbert being 
fully amjjle to enable tlie trustees to m.aintain a free scho(ii of liie \ ery highest 
character. 

Sixteen trustees, holding oftice for life, m;m;igc the school, ancl though but a 
few of the original trustees surAive at this time, the ]n-rmanence of the body and 
the slow changes in tlie personnel of the trustees liave made possible ,1 continuance 
of the wise [)olicy, adopted at the beginning, of conducting a sciiool which should 
be first of all an academic rather than a technical institution. Whik' the voca- 
tional needs of the students are [irovided for in the commercial and art manual 
ilepartments and more ade(|uately met by the course in domestic science, the 
school's first aim is, as it lias always been, to furnish its students with the means 
of a liberal education. The academic department prepares for college and for 
general usefulness in .and enjoyment of the intellectual life, while the technical 
courses fit students delinitely and ade(iuately for the liusiness of the work-a-day 
world. 

Reviewing the life of the school from the time of its organization to the 
present will recall to mind the men who have been inllnential. as trustees, in its 
development. Mr. Gilbert named as trustees and corporators: Isaac P.. Wood- 
ruff, Lyman R. Norton. Charles R. Hallett, Juds^e Augustus II. Fenn, David 
Strong, Rufus E. Holmes, luigene Potter, Ilarvev 1.. Roberts, George P.. Owen, 
Charles J. 'S'ork, Joseph H. Norton, William L. Camp, Winlield J. Garvin, Henry 
Gay, Dr. Harvey P. Steele, Theophilus Paird. 

Very substantial buildings of pressed buff brick with ni.arble trimmings have 
been erected, the same architecture displayed in the original main structure having 
been followed in the annex erected twelve years later. 

Among the first duties devolving upon the trustees, after the school building 
was erected was the selection of a principal, and after a careful study of men and 
institutions. Dr. John E. Clarke was chosen. To Doctor Clarke's devotion and 
faithful service the school in a large measure owes its enviable reputation. He 
retired in 1908 after serving the school as its principal for thirteen years, and 
was succeeded by the present principal, Walter D. Hood, who is a graduate of 
Yale and was superintendent of schools in Shelton and Stratford. The present 



416 WATI':RBURY and the NAUCiATL'CK VALLEY 

officers and directors of the Gilbert School are: President, C. J. York; vice 
president, E. B. Gaylord ; secretary and treasurer, H. L. Roberts ; directors, 
Eugene Potter, Wilbur G. Manchester, Lester C. Strong, Seymour W. Alvord, 
L. M. Blake, J. G. Woodruff, L. W. Tiffany, Dr. W. S. Hulbert, L. C. Colt, 
Dr. Edward L. Pratt, .\. L. Clark, Ered C. Strong, Dudley C. Vaill. 

THE WILLIAM I.. GILBEKT HOME 

Tiie bronze tablet at the main entrance to the Gilbert home reads as follows : 
"This building was erected by William L. (lilbert, long a resident of Winchester, 
for the improvement of mankind by affording such assistance and means of edu- 
cating the young as will help them become good citizens. A. D. 1888." Thus, 
together with Mr. Gilbert's bequest, was made possible an institution which is 
doing a work that few, even in Winsted, fully appreciate. The home accommo- 
dates 250 children and it is necessary to turn away many api)licants in order to 
keep to this number. Preference is given to those children whose guardians will 
have difficulty in meeting the cost of similar care and instruction elsewhere. It is 
a hoinc where children who are deprived of the advantages of family life are cared 
for and educated at a charge much below the actual cost. A good idea of the 
class of children cared for may be given by quoting from a leaflet issued by the 
home : 

"Children described as follows will not be admitted: i. Those under four 
years of age. 2. Those over four years of age who can not talk well enough to 
communicate their physical ills and needs. 3. Those unable to dress themselves 
with a reasonable amount of assistance. 4. Cripples. 5. Those who are defective 
mentally. 6. Those who are afflicted with contagious, infectious or incurable 
diseases. The charge for board, clothing and schooling is $1.50 per week for 
each child. Any variation from this charge will be based upon a personal inves- 
tigation of the circumstances of the applicant. Tn cases where there are sufficient 
means for the child's support, but the essential thing lacking is home care, the 
charge may be from $1.50 per week up to the actual cost. It is not the purpose 
of the institution to charge a price below cost for those whose parents, guardians 
or friends are financially able to meet their obligations. This would deprive us of 
the means to extend charity to needy and worthy cases. Parents or friends may 
visit children at any time, but are requested to avoid calling during school hours, 
if possible.'' 

It will be seen that the institution is not in any sense correctional. In the 
admission of children, no distinction is made as to race, religion or nationality. 
The only children turned away when there are vacancies are those whose previous 
records are such as to make it probable that their influence on the boys and girls 
already in the home would be bad. 

The endowment which enables the good work to go on was given b)' Mr. 
Gilbert in trust to the following men. and passed into their possession upon his 
death twenty years ago: Henry Gay. Isaac P>. Woodruff, Harvey P.. Steele, 
Lvman R. Norton. Eugene Potter. Harvey L. Rol>erts. George B. Owen, Charles 
J. "I'ork. Joseph H. Norton. William L. Camp. T. Baird and W. J- Garvin. These 
men did not assume active control until Mr. Gilbert's death in i8gi. On March 
21, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Dwight S. Case took charge of the home under the direc- 
tion of Mr. Gilbert and on .April ist of the same year the home was opened. At 
first the number of children was comparatively small. The school building was 
built in 1894. and in 1900 the number of children had so increased that more room 
was necessary and the east building was constructed. 



WATERBURY AND THE NAU(L\TL'CK VALLEY 417 

On December i, i<jo(), Mr. and Mrs. Case, after over twenty years of service, 
found it necessary to lay down the work because of Mrs. Case's failing health. 
Under their guidance the home had grown from a sheltering place of 21 
children on the day that it opened to one for 250. The home had also been im- 
proved and beautified until it is now one of the beauty spots of Winsted. 

C)n the day that Mr. and Mrs. Case laid down the work of the home. Mr. and 
Mrs. Charles M. Morse came to Winsted U> take up the work. Mr. and Mrs. 
Morse are both graduates of the stale normal school at Cortland. N. Y., and 
Mr. Morse is a graduate of Yale. 

Among the recent improvements are the opening of new reading rooms, new 
locker and dressing rooms, shower baths, a new toilet building and a wash room 
for the boys, also many other items of lesser importance. 

This summer classes in domestic training for the girls are in pr<>gress. The 
instruction includes cooking, baking, sewing, darning, washing, ironing, in fact 
a complete course in housekeeping. For several months Mrs. iMorse has an eve- 
ning in embroidery. The officers and directors for 1917 are: President, Arthur 
L. Clark ; vice president, James G. Woodruff : secretary, Wilbur G. Manchester ; 
treasurer, S. Landon Alvord ; corporators, Arthur L. Clark, James G. \\'oodruff, 
Frederick C. Strong, Dudley L. Vaill, Eugene Potter. Ilarvey L. Rolierts, Luman 
C. Colt, Edward L. Pratt, S. Landon Alvord. L. W. Tiffany. I'.. 11. Gaylord, 
L. C. Strong. Chas. ]. York. Wilbur G. Manchester. Wm. S. Ilulbert. Lorenzo 
M Blake. 

WINSTED's public I,II!R,\KV 

There were several small libraries in Winsterl prior to the establishment of the 
present free libraries, some of them dating back over one himdred years. It is 
stated that one was kept in the office of .'-^nlomon Rockwell i\: I'.ros. There w;is 
also one in the west school district as early as iSoS. The Winsted hi^toric;d .and 
theological library- was organized by the First Congregational Society in iSio. 
In 1812 some young men in the west village organized a library which was kept 
in the house of Colonel Hosea Hinsdale. Another was organized in east village 
in 1820. Some of the churches have also established libraries in connection with 
their Sunday schools at different times. 

In 1874, as a momerial to her late husband. Deacon Elliott r>eardsley. Mrs. 
Delia R. Beardsley, gave $10,000 to found the Bcardsley library in West \^'in- 
sted. A board of seven trustees was chosen by her and they were directed to 
spend $5,000 for I)onks and magazines that year and to invest the balance and tise 
the income to replenish the library from time to time. ^Mrs. Beardsley also fur- 
nished rooms in the Beardsley block free of rent for the use of the library. It 
was opened .September 15. i8~4. Upon her death in 1878 members of the family 
generously continued until 1884 to give the use of the rooms. The expenses that 
were incurred for maintenance were paid by membership tickets. 

After remaining in its home for twenty- four years in the Beardsley block, 
where it had become cramped for room, the library was moved in 1898 to the 
beautiful brick memorial building erected for it on the corner of Main Street 
and ^lunro Place by the late Jenison J. Whiting and his wife. Mrs. Mars' Phelps 
\Miiting. At the solicitation of some of the friends of the library, it was made 
a free institution, a vote of the town having been passed for an annual appro- 
priation, amounting now to $1,500 and it was re-opened as such on June 30. i8qQ. 
It then had 8, too books bound and unbound. Previous to that time the circula- 
tion hafi b'^en between 7.000 and 8.000 volumes annually and the first year after 



418 WATKRBURV AXD TIIF. NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

it was made free, the circulation jumped to 41,133. The library now has 14,900 
volumes. 

The Gilloert school library, which is also free to the public, has over ten thou- 
sand volumes on its shelves. 

LITCHFllXD COUNTY IIO.SPITAL 

Situated on a prominence in the western part of Winsted, is the Litchfield 
County IIos])ital of Winchester. The main building is constructed of buff brick 
with foundation and trimmings of Keene granite. It is 81 by 53 feet, with an ell 
30 by 24 feet, and wings on either end for sun parlors. There are three floors 
and basement, and the interior arrangement is all that could be desired, every 
necessity and requirement having been carefully looked after. The structure, 
independent of furnishings, cost about ,f42,ooo. 

A charter was obtained from the General Assembly in 1895, estal)lishing the 
Litchfield County Hospital, and an organization was perfected and officers 
elected. The first money raised for the purpose was by Miss Adelyn Howard. 
During her long years of illness, visiting friends were asked to contribute for 
such a purpose, and quite a sum was realized. No immediate steps were taken, 
and several years after, in 1899, another charter was obtained from the General 
Assembly under the name of the Winchester Hospital Association, and an appro- 
priation of $10,000 was granted. 

l-'urther encouragement came from the offer of Mrs. Julia A. liatcheller to 
give the fine site extending from Spencer Street to Main, containing i33/> acres 
for the building; and the gift of Mrs. Maria M. Brown of $5,000 for the 
furnishing. 

A committee, consisting of Doctors Ilowc. Pratt and llulbert. visited hospi- 
tals in various parts of the country and the ])resent main building is the result of 
their investigations. 

Ground was broken July 18, 1900, and the General Assembly of 1901 consoli- 
dated the two organizations under the name of the Litchfield County Hospital 
of Winchester, and made further ajjpropriation of $20,000 for building and 
$6,118 for maintenance. 

In addition to this state aid, personal gifts of money have been large; Mrs. 
Ratcheller giving generously in addition to the land. On the 29th of January, 
1902, the Litchfield County Hospital of \\'inchester was formally opened and 
inspected by delegations from every town in the county, and the gift of $5,000 
for the first free bed was announced. 

At the end of the year, the records showed a total of 159 patients coming 
from twenty-one different towns and including twenty-four state beneficiaries. 
The daily average for the year was twelve. The working force had been 
increased from three to eight and even this number was at times inadequate and 
it was found necessary to employ extra nurses a few days at a time to meet special 
emergencies. 

Within three years from its opening, ground was broken for an additional 
building west of the main building and similar in construction and architecture 
for an isolation ward. The building cost $7,000 and this expense was liquidated 
by Wheelock T. Ratcheller. The ward was opened June i, 1906. 

The I-egislature of 1909 granted an appropriation of $15,000 for the erection 
of a home for the nurses on the grounds. 

The hos]Mtal has been generously remembered in the way of gifts, the perma- 
nent funds in the hands of trustees in 191 7 totaling nearly two hundred thousand 
dollars. 




T.1T( IIMIIJi ((II \IN IKi^n I \l,, WIXM'KI) 



WATERr.L-RY AXl) Till': .\AU( lATUCK XAIJ.EY 419 

The woman's auxiliary ami the I.itchliehl County Hospital Traininj,' School 
for Nurses are valuable adjuncts to the hospital and from its inception have con- 
tinued to be of invaluable assistance. The ofticers of the hospital in nji" are: 
President, Edward B. Gaylord ; vice president, J. H. Alvord ; secretary, L. C. 
Strong; treasurer, W'm. II. I'helps ; executive committee, E. B. Bronson, M. II. 
Tanner, E. R. Holmes. 

iiisTom' oi' winstkd's churches 

The exact date of the organization of the b'irst Church (if t.hrist, as the Iwrst 
Congregational Church was at hrst calletl, is not known. The parish records go 
back to March 7, 1778, at which time a meeting was held at the Ikui^c nf Jdhn 
Balcom and officers were appointed. The first step taken toward building a 
meeting-house appears in a vote of the society, Septeiuber J(>. 17X0. 

On October 2. 1702, a site was finally ciioscn on W'allin'.s Hill biU gnunul was 
not broken until the following April. The niising occurred a month nr two 
later, when the records read, "cakes .and good cheer were i)rovidcd." The build- 
ing was 40 by 30 feet, with gallery encircling three sides of the interior. 

Soon afterwards the luovement of the i)0])ulation toward the valley beg.in 
and in eight years the church was rendered useless. Only the large horse block 
remains now to mark the site. 

The society selected as the site for the new church the spot at the southwest 
corner of Winsted Park. It was ;i commodious edifice and stood there until 
1849 or 1850 when it was moved to the site the old building still occujiies and 
was reconstructed in part, and rededicated with ;m historical sermon pre;iche(l l>y 
its pastor. Rev. Ira Pettibone 

During his pastorate there occurred two imi>ortant events, the remo\al of the 
church, as stated above, and the withdrawal, on J:muary 8, 1854. of fifty-one 
members to form the Second Congregational Church, they being desirous to locate 
a church near their places of residence. 

On November 14, iSrio, Rev. James I'. I'ierson was ordained to the pastorate. 
Reflecting the militant spirit of the times in some of his utterances, opposition 
was stirred up and as a result Mr. Pierson tendered his resignation, sharply 
rebuking those who had denied a preacher of the gospel the right to discuss the 
topics of the day in the pulpit. Malcolm McG. Dana, who later became one 
of the best known preachers in the denomination, supplied the plupit from 1862 
to 1865, declining a call to the pastorate extended to him in March, 1863. Rev. T. 
B. R. Walker received a call January 5, 1867, and continued two years, during 
which time important repairs were luade and the large organ wdiich did good 
service for over thirty years was installed. Rev. Henry E. Cobley serv-ed as 
acting pastor following him. On Noveiuber 10, 1867, Rev. Thomas M. Miles 
was ordained pastor and served until March 25, 1879. He was an able man and 
did very efficient work, adding 107 to the membership of the church. The par- 
sonage, an attractive and commodious home, was built during his pastorate. He 
was followed by Rev. T. E. Lee who was ordained December 30, 1870. Sixty- 
six members were added during his pastorate of 41-2 years. Two months 
after his dismissal in October, 1884, a call was extended to Rev. Henry 
N. Kinney. During his nine years of service 269 were added to the membership 
of the church. He was a leader in the Christian Endeavor movement in the state 
and was greatly beloved. Rev. George Foster Prentiss was installed pastor 
February 21, 1894, and remained until December 30, 1897. He inaugurated the 
movement for a new church and made a good start in raising the funds. The 



420 WATERBURV AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

present pastor. Rev. George W. Judson, was installed June 28, 1898. To him 
belongs the credit largely for the completion of the subscriptions and the erection 
of the beautiful granite church building which was dedicated September 19, 1901, 
tiie 100th anniversary of the old meeting house being celebrated the same day. 

SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

On January 18, 1854, an ecclesiastical council was convened at West Winsted, 
of which Rev. Joseph Eldridge of Norfolk was moderator. Fifty-one members 
of the First Church and six from other churches were organized into the Second 
Congregational Church. Rev. Charles II. A. Bulkley was chosen first pastor and 
was installed December 5, 1854. For three years and eight months, until the 
erection of a church edifice, services were held in Camp's Mall. The society 
connnittee was authorized to purchase the site next north of the Winsted Savings 
r>ank. The church was dedicated September 16, 1857, free of debt. Less than 
two years later, in July, 1859, a chapel was erected just north of the church 
building. 

On N'oveniber 15, 1859, a Meneelcy bell, weighing 2,190 pounds and costing 
$700, was placed in the belfry. Within three months, in a severe gale February 
10, i860, the spire was blown over, carrying the bell with it, crushing in about 
one-third of the roof. It required nearly a year to make the repairs and build 
a new steeple, costing about $3,000. The church was re-opened January 6, 1861. 
riie second i)astor. Rev. Fliram Eddy, was installed January 9, 1861. In the 
following June he was granted a leave of absence for two months to accept the 
chai)laincy of the Second Regiment, Connecticut \'oIunteer Infantry. He was 
taken prisoner at Bull Run and suffered severely in rebel prisons at Richmond 
and elsewhere for more than a year but at length returned to his pastorate. 

On March 10, 1873, the society voted to make extensive repairs upon the 
church, chapel and parsonage. A little later an addition of twenty feet was built 
on to the rear of the chapel, and it was rededicated December 17, 1876. After a 
pastorate of ten years. Rev. Mr. Ilallock was dismissed December 4, 1883. He 
was followed by Rev. H. H. Kelsey, who was installed September 10. 1884, and 
dismissed June 27, 1888. The Christian Endeavor Society was organized during 
his pastorate, December 14, 1885. 

After Rev. Mr. Kelsey, Rev. Henry P. Peck served the church as acting 
pastor for nearly two years. Rev. J. Spencer Voorhees was installed April 20. 
1892, and was dismissed October 9, 1896. Rev. Newell M. Calhoun succeeded 
him September i, 1897. Not long after Rev. Mr. Calhoun had arrived the 
project for erecting a new church edifice was well under way. A subscription 
committee was appointed and met with splendid success. The lot on the corner 
of Main and Spencer streets was purchased and A. P.. Jennings of New York 
was chosen as architect. The contract for the beautiful granite church, the fir.';! 
of the stone churches to be erected in Winsted and in which the town takes great 
pride, was awarded to Decker & St. Claire, of New York City. Ground was 
l)roken July 18, 1898. On September lOth of that year the memorial stone was 
laid by Deacon John Hinsdale and the church was dedicated September 5, 1899, 
the pastor, Rev. Mr. Calhoun, preaching the dedicatory sermon. Flis installa- 
tion occurred in connection with the services on the following day. The cost of 
the church, including the lot and memorial windows, was about sixty thousand 
dollars. The seating capacity of the auditorium is 850 and with the Sunday 
school rooms 1,500. 

The semi-centennial celebration of the church was held Januan,' 17 and 18, 




SKOtNl) ('()\(ii;K(iATI(i.\.\l. ( liriU II, W IXSTKI) 




.Ml.TlKiDlM' KI'ISrol'AL (IirHril. WINSTKD 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 421 

1904, Rev. Air. Calhoun i)rcacliin,<j the anniversary sermon. Tlie nienihershiii 
then was 41S. Rev. Everard W. Snow, ihe i)resent pastor, succeechny; Re\'. 
Mr. Calhoun, entered upon his duties January H), nioS. 

In Sc]itenil)er, 1909, a large, new llutchins three-manual jiipe organ ha\ing 
forty-two speaking stops and costing $10,000 was deilicated. In njij tliere was 
a vac; ncy in the pastorate. 

wiNciiiisricR cicNTicR co.\i;Ri-.i;.\TioN.\r. eiii'Ri 11 

The Congregational Church at Winchester Center, the oldest in tlu- town, was 
organized Oetoher 30, 1771. hy the Re\s. Xathaniel Roherts of Torrington and 
.Ammi Ruhamah Rohhins of Xorfolk. with fourteen memhers. eight ni.iles and 
six females. 

The present church liuilding was erected in 1S41 on l.ind leased to the ecclesi- 
astical society hy Isaac Brownson, with the agreenu'iit that no buildings sliould 
hereafter be erected on Winchester "green." 

Following the ])astorate of Rev. Joshua Knapp there ha\e been si.\ settled 
pastors over this church, two who have enjoyed the uni(iue and reniarkablc 
experience of a pastorate of forty years each — Rev. I'Vederick Marsh, or l''ather 
Marsh as he was l)etter kiKJwn. and the revered and beloved jiastor. Rev. .'Xrthur 
Coodenough, known to the clergy of Connecticut and Litchfield County as the 
"Bishop of Winchester," who celebrated in October, 1910, the completion of his 
forty years as pastor of this church. 

Tin; MKTIIODIST (HL't;!'!! 

The history of Methoilisni in Winsted dates back to some time ])rior to 1790, 
when pioneer Methodist ])reachers used to come occasionally while ni.aking their 
circuit and hold services at the home of some friend or in a barn or field. 

It was not long before the little red schoolhouse at the foot of the hill on 
Spencer Street, which is still remembered by many inhabitants, was secured as 
a place for holding services for the constantly increasing number of worshippers. 
The Methodist society continued to hold its meetings there until the year 1807 
when a site just below, adjoining the schoolhouse, was purchased and the first 
Methodist Church in Winsted was erected there. The building still stands. 

The structure was used for a house of worship until 18,^4. The society had 
continued to grow and pros|)er in spite of the oppositiim (hat it constantly met, so 
that ill 1832 it was decided to build a new ;nid more commodious church. A lot 
on Main Street forming the west ])ortion of the ])resent church site was bought, 
and in 1833 a large wooden church with basement was erected. The society had 
reason to be proud of the new edifice which was dedicated Januarv J9, 1834, the 
preacher at the dedication being Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D, D., first president of Wes- 
leyan University. That same year the church was set off from the old Burling- 
ton circuit and made a separate charge. Rev. Daniel Smith being appointed as 
the first pastor. This church served the needs of the society for seventy years. 

A new and handsome parsonage was erected by the society on High Street 
during the '70s and it still houses the pastor and his family. One of two unsuc- 
cessful attempts were made to secure funds for a more modern and commodious 
church which it was felt was beginning to he badly needed. There was a grow- 
ing memljership Init there was very little wealth represented in the church. 

Fortunately for the society, in i8go. Rev. B. F. Kidder, full of energy and of 
large faith, was sent to the Winsted pastorate. In the fall of 1901, through the 



422 WATKRBURY AXD THE XAUGATUCK VALLEY 

indefatigable eft'orts of the pastor, $30,000 was secured in cash and pledges, and 
the Ratchellcr property adjoining the church lot on the corner of Main and High 
streets was bought for $10,000, the two pro])erties making a most desirable and 
commanding site. The next year, 1902, $6,000 more was raised and the contract 
for the beautiful new church to be faced with Torrington granite and furnished 
in oak was awarded to E. B. Parsons of Winsted. Two years later, in Decem- 
ber, the church was dedicated, Bishop Cyrus D. Foss preaching the dedicatory 
sermon. The entire cost of the church, including the land, furnishings, memorial 
windows, organ, etc., was over si.xty thousand dollars, and the property is nearly 
paid for. 

The church has a membership of over seven hundred and is in a i)rosperous 
condition. Its pastor in lyi" is Rev. Claude C. Coile. 

THI-; I IRST llAI'TIST nn'Rcit 

The Connecticut Baptist con\ c-ntion made the first defmite move for a Piaptist 
church in Winsted. The Rev. Wallace 11. lUittrick suggested that the conven- 
tion use money in its possession to build a church. The idea met with favor and 
Winsted was chosen as the place. 

Among those interested in the i)roject was the late Lieutenant-Governor 
James L. Howard of Hartford, who procured the plans and gave generously of 
time and money. 

The building was erected in the fall of i88y and the winter of 1890 on the lot 
given by Mr. Griswold. On May 14, i8go, the church was dedicated with fitting 
ceremonies. 

Before the formal organizatit)n of the church a Bible school was started and 
grew to goodly numbers. At the iirst annual meeting, held in December of 1890, 
an average attendance of fifty-seven was reported. The home department for 
the "shut-ins" jiroved of mutual benefit through the personal touch of the visitors 
with the members. .A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was also 
started with about tvveKe members and soon grew in numbers, influence and 
usefulness. 

On lune 21, 1900, the formal organization of the church was held with 
impressive ceremonies. 

The original constituent members numbered twenty-nine and under the wise 
spiritual leadershij) of the Rev. Philij) S. I'^vans the membership doubled during 
the year and a half that he was pastor. In November. 1891, the church called 
for its first regular pastor. Rev. A. Willis Clark. Mr. Clark's pastorate continued 
for six years. He was succeeded by Rev. Frederick H. Gates, who began his 
labors in Winsted in May. 1898. I'orty-four members were added to the church 
during his ])astorate. which lasted for three years. 

The longest pastorate in the church's history was that closed in 191 1 with 
the resignation of Rev. Franklin D. Elmer. 

The present pastor (1917) is Rev. Walter C. Scott. 

ST. T.-\MES PIWTKST.\NT KPISCOP.VL CIIl'RCII 

The Protestant Episcopal Church had been firmly jilanted in Litchfield 
County for many decades and churches of that denomination had been established 
in Torrington and Riverton when soon after Easter. 1846. sen'ices were begun to 
be held on alternate Sundays in Winsted. in a school house, by Rev. William IL 
Frisbie. who ministered at Riverton and Harwinton. 



WATKRIiL'RY AXD Till-. XAUGATL'CK \ALLEY 423 

Pledges amounting to $1,500 for a church liuilding were secured by Rev. Mr. 
Frisbie during the following winter, and on i*-aster, 1S47. Rev. Jonathan Coe, 
under appointment of the Clerical and Missionarv .Association of 1 .itchtield 
County, took charge of the congregation. In 1S48 the services were lu-ld in a 
hall and on September Jjth, of that year, the parish of St. James' Cimrcii was 
organized with fifteen meml)ers. The new church building w,i> completed in 
(October, and on the folliiwing .\11 Saints' I )ay the church was consecrated by 
Bishop r.rownell and at the ne.xt diocesan con\ention the parish was formally 
admitted into the diocese. For the first twenty years the new parish did little 
more than hold its own, the numlier of communicants at any time not exceeding 
thirty. During this period five clergymen succeeded the first rector, one of them 
being Rev. James R. Coe. who ha<l been a warden. Then followed a ])eriod of 
great j^rosperity ancl growth in the twelve years succeeding, beginning and ending 
with the short rectorates of twii ]iriests. Rev. W'illi.im 11. Lewis. Jr., .and Rev. 
Frederick llarriman. Under Rev. Mr. Lewis the number of connnunicants 
became si.xty-one, and in fourteen months Rev. Mr. ll.arriman baptized fourteen 
adults and twenty-four children ;ind ]iresetUcd twenty-six for confirmation, leav- 
ing 1,^5 names on the communicant roll. 

In 1880 began the long rectorate of Rev. ( leorge M. ."Stanley, covering nearly 
a third of the i)arish's historv. in which there were 125 marriages entered u])on 
the church register. A half century of p.arochial life, m.arked by years filled with 
employment in the Master's cause and by many successes, ended in this ri'Ctorale. 

Early in the history a rectory h.ad been pro\idc<l and care h.ad been t.iken 
for its maintenance. 

The rectorate of Rev. .S. Wolcoii Linsley. which terminated in him. cover- 
ing eight years, marked another er.a of ]irogress in s])iritual and numerical 
growth in the church's history. 

The present rector is Rev. Robert \'. K. Harris. 

.\. M. F,. ZTOX curuiii 

Religious work among the colored people in W'insted as a separate denomina- 
tion was begun about sixteen years ago. when W illiam X. I'erry was sent here 
by the New England conference of the .\frican Methodist Episcojial Zion Church 
to work among his people. Services were held at first in the town hall and later 
Mr. Berry engaged ^Mechanics ILall for their place of worship and this was used 
until 1909. 

The new church was dedicated on .Sunday. Januarv .vh i')<)0. The corner- 
stone was laid at the same time, provision having been made for its being slid 
into [ilace. 

THE CI1RISTI-\N SCIENCE CHURCH 

Christian Science has had adherents in Winsted for manv years, as far back 
as in the '90s. but not until December. 1900. did Christian Scientists take any 
active steps to hold public Christian Science services. In Januars'. looi. a Chris- 
tian Science society was organized and from that date a steady increase of inter- 
est has developed and at present \\'insted has a thriving, working society. 

Since December 9, 1900. and until 1911. public sen-ices were held continu- 
ously in Winsted either in private homes or halls. Since uio^ the society has 
held services in rooms especially fitted up for it on the second floor of the Wet- 
more Block. It has also maintained reading rooms open to the pulilic daily from 
3 to 5 P. M.. except .Sundays and holidays. 



424 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

During 1910 the society reorganized and now is a state corporation. This 
was necessitated by the acquiring of property by the society, it having purchased 
what has been known as the old Lincoln property on the corner of High Street 
and Fairview Avenue, at the head of Union Street. It is on this lot that ground 
was broken for the new church edifice. 

The first reader of the church in 1917 is Mrs. Carrie Spencer. The treasurer 
is Raymond W. Churchill. 

THE HISTORY OF THIC C.\TIUlL]C (.HriUII IX WI.N.STIiD 

With the Catholics of the entire town solidly united in a single parish. St. 
Joseph's Roman Catliolic Church stands out forcibly in the religious life of the 
community and its influence is widely felt. 

It has just com[)lcted its magnificent new church at the corner of Main and 
Oak streets. 

The Catholic Church in W'insted dates back to 1851, when Rev. James Lynch, 
who resided in Birmingham (now Derby), New Haven County, at the time, 
began making occasional visits to Winsted, celebrating mass in a schoolhouse in 
the west end of the borough. He was not long in organizing his flock, however, 
for in 1S52 the land occupied by the former church on Oak Street was purcha.sed 
and the same year Rev. Thomas Quinn entered upon pastoral duties and com- 
menced the erection of the church. A recent graduate of the Roman Catholic 
Theological .Seminary at Fordham. N. Y., Father Quinn was a brilliant orator 
and a year later he was transferred to a more important field. Rev. Phillip Guil- 
lick, already well known among the priesthood as "the great church builder," 
succeeded him and completed the church, although greatly handicapped by a 
shortage of funds. 

The next pastor was Rev. Thomas Ilendrickson. later I'.ishop of Providence, 
and he was succeeded in turn by Rev. Richard O'Gorman in 1855, Rev. Lawrence 
Managan in 1856, and in i860 by Rev. Daniel Mullen, who on the breaking out 
of the Civil war, was transferred to the chaplaincy of the Ninth Regiment, 
Connecticut \'olunteers. Rev. Philip Sheridan was then sent to Winsted and 
remained in charge until succeeded in 1865 by Rev. Leo De Saracena. O. F. M., 
who came to Winsted from the battlefield, he having succeeded Father AFullen 
as chaplain of the Ninth. 

The coming of Father Leo marked the beginning of a new era in the history 
of the parish. Posses.sed of a fighting spirit that knew no bounds and keenly 
enthusiastic, lie attacked the work before him with a vengeance and the next 
year saw notable progress. Additional land was purchased for the erection of a 
schoolhouse and a residence for the sisters, and in November, 1866, the church 
itself was conveyed by Bishop McFarland to the Franciscan order. During the 
succeechng years the parish increased with marvelous rapidity and more land 
was acquired and the buildings were rebuilt and greatly improved. But the 
accomplishments of Father Leo are too well known to warrant enumeration and 
it is sufficient to say that when he died, November 3, 1897, this community 
suffered the loss of one of its most influential and generally respected residents, 
a man beloved and revered by Catholics and Protestants alike. In the ranks of 
his order he had been equally prominent, for previous to 18S1 he served as pro- 
vincial superior of the Franciscan order in the Immaculate Conception province 
and later as president of St. Bonaventure's College at Allegany, N. Y. 

I'ollowing the death of Father Leo the pastorate fell to Rev. Father Alex- 
ander Hickey, who was in turn succeeded by Rev. Pamphilus Ennis, who died in 




NKW ST. ,l(isi;i'irs KiiMAN ( \riliiM( ( IHKill. WIXSTKI) 



WATERI'.L'RY AND Till': XAL'<iATLCK \ ALLIEN' 42:> 

Winsted in njni ; Rev. MicluK-l Mann ami tlie Rij^lit Rev. Andrew W, Slattcry, 
the present ineumbent. 

During the administration of leather Anih'ew the realty Imldings of the parish 
have been greatly inereased and. as above stated, the pari'-h is now about to 
olficially dedicate its modern edifice that has taken it-- prnper ]ilace among 
the other handsome churches of the town. Tlie parish now owns all the 
land on the westerly side of Oak Street from ^fain .Street northerly to W'etmore 
Avenue, with the exception of three small tracts on which are two dwellings. 
The land has a frontage on Main Street of about two htmdrefl and fifty feet and 
the greater jrortion of it extends westerly from Oak Street to Chestnut Street. 
.\nother large tract in Mooreville was purchased for cemetery |)ur]joses. but has 
never been used on account of the more recent purchase of land adjoining the 
old cemetery which now extends from Holabird Avenue northerly to Wetniore 
Avenue on the westerly side of Oak Street. 

Nl-:W.SP.\PHR HISTORY OF WlNSTK.n 

The history of the press of Winsted dates Ijack to 1853 and during the more 
than three score years that have elapsed some very distinguished men have been 
numbered among the journalistic writers of this town. 

The Mountain County Herald, a six-column folio, made its debut Mav 14, 
1853. under the ])roprietorship of the firm of Hubbard &■ Cl.-irke. composed of 
Stei)hen A. Hubbard, later managing editor of tiie Hartford Courant, and 
Thomas M. Clarke, who was for years one of W'insted's distinguished citizens 
and leading manufacturers. Mr. Clarke withdrew in I'ebruarv. 1854, to become 
editor of the Bridgeport Leader. Edmund Clarence .Stedman. who kiter became 
distinguished as a man of letters and was known as the lianker-poet. took Mr. 
Clarke's place on the staff of the Herald ami for a \ear and two months Messrs. 
Hubbard & Stedman were at the helm. Then Mr. Clarke returned ,-nid liccanie 
Mr. Stedman's successor and the original firm of Hubbard & Clarke published 
the Herald until the following July, when Mr. Hubbard withdrew and Mr. (."larlce 
continued as editor and pro]irietor until after the Civil war. 

In the meantime Mr. Clarke had changed the name of the ]iapcr at the com- 
mencement of the sixth volume to The Winsted Herald, which title is still 
retained. 

In November, 1865, Mr. Clarke sobl out to the Winsted Printing Company, 
a new joint stock corporation and Theodore F. \':n\\. ailjutant of the Second 
Connecticnt Heavy .\rtillery, liecame editor. Upon his death, in February, 1875, 
his brother, J. H. \'aill. who had been Inisiness manager for six years, became 
the editor. Mr. \'aill filled the editorial chair and directed the management of 
the paper most acceptably for sixteen years. 

In 1891, Mr. \'aill leased the Herald to Wombaugh cS: Safford. In i8q2. 
while he was engaged as executive secretary of the \\'orlrrs Fair board in Hart- 
ford, they started tlie Daily Herald. After running it a few weeks they retired 
from the business, l>eing unable to make a pecuniary success of it. 

Early in 1803 the concern was re-organized and made the Winsted Herald 
Company, instead of the Winsted Printing Company, and the office was removed 
from Lake Street to the then Grand Army Building. B. Frank Marsh was given 
the business and editorial management of the paper. R. S. Hulbert was called 
in to assist hini in the fall of 1893 and upon John Rodemeyer's resignation the 
following winter, Mr. Hulbert became die active editor. Upon Mr. Vaill's return 
from Chicago in 1894, after the Columbian Exposition, he took Mr. Mar.sh's 
])lace and R. S. Frary liecame business manager. 



42G WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATL'CK VALLEY 

In the spring of 1895, the Herald was sold to the Citizen Printing Company, 
and since then has been conducted as a weekly paper. During this time the edi- 
torial chair has been occupied by J. H. Van Keuren, E. L. Brand, R. R. Noble 
and Col. S. B. Home, the present editor, Mr. Vaill being retained for a short 
time as a political writer. 

The size of the paper was changed at various times from a si.x-column folio 
to a seven, eight and nine-column folio and to a si.x-column quarto, a two or 
four-])agc insert being added in recent years. 

The Winsted Press was first published July 5, 1873, by Henry A. Bills, a well 
known politician, and Lucien \'. Pinney, who was a journeyman printer at that 
time, under the firm name of Bills & Pinney. Three months later, Mr. Pinney 
bought out Mr. Bills' interest and continued the publication of the pajjcr until it 
was sold to the Citizen Printing Company in 1888. The Press was democratic in 
its earliest days, but in 1874 it began to support greenback principles and 
endorsed Peter Cooper in 1876, James B. Weaver in 1880, and Gen. Ben. Butler 
in 1884, the three greenback candidates for president. In fact, the paper con- 
tinued a stanch greenback organ until it was sold. Mr. Pinney wrote with a 
free hand and never lacked success in provoking comment among his readers. The 
Press started as a five-column quarto but after the first year was changed to an 
eight-column folio and was continued in that form. It was publi.shed in the 
Hotel Central Building for a number of years, after which Mr. Pinney built an 
office on Union Street. After selling out to Mr. Pinney, Mr. Bills started the 
Winsted News, in 1874, as a democratic paper. In 1880 it was purchased by 
W. A. McArthur. formerly of the Ludlow (Vt.) Tribune, and the name was 
changed to The Times and News. It was an eight-column quarto and at one time 
claimed 1,200 subscribers, but finally expired. 

The Citizen Printing Company, a stock corporation, was organized at Hotel 
Andrews, March 24, 1888, with a capital stock of $5,000. The directors elected 
were Hon. Nathaniel B. Stevens, John H. Van Keuren. E. F. Heubler, Wm. B. 
Sill, Jay E. Spaulding, Col. Samuel B. Home and H. Hungerford Drake. 
Mr. Stevens was elected president and treasurer, Mr. Spaulding vice president, 
and Mr. \'an Keuren secretary. Mr. \'an Keuren was also elected editor-in-chief 
and business manager of The Citizen. William R. Sill, managing editor of The 
Citizen, Mr. Stevens editor of the Litchfield County Leader, and E. E. Heubler. 
superintendent. The ^\'insted Press and Wethersfield Farmer were purchased 
by the new comjjany. An office was opened at 417 Main Street, in the Wetmore 
P>uilding, and Winsted's new daily paper, The Winsted Evening Citizen, was 
launched April 30. 1888, as a six-column folio with the Litchfield County Leader 
as the weekly edition. 

Mr. Sill resigned as editor of the Citizen on October ist of that year and Mr. 
\'an Keuren filled his place. Mr. Heubler taking over the business management. 
Mr. Heubler resigned in the fall of 1894 and E. L. Brand was elected superin- 
tendent in his place. The following spring the capital stock of the company was 
increased to $15,000 and the purchase of the Winsted Herald was made, the 
board of directors being increased to nine, the new directors consisting of Col. S. 
B. Home, H. H. Drake, L H. \'an Keuren, J. E. Spaulding. N. B. Stevens, 
Henry Gay, M. H. Tanner. E. F. Heubler. and" J. H. Alvord. Mr. Van Keuren 
added the editorship of The Herald to his duties. 

On account of ill health, Mr. \'an Keuren. who had filled the editorial chair 
so ably and conscientiously from the establishment of the Citizen, resigned in the 
spring of 1896 and Walter L. Bevins of Meriden was elected secretary of the 



''^. 



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I I- "iM iii:sTi.:i;. cuiiXKi; maix axd kui stkekts. wixmi 



\v.\ti-:riiury and the naugatuck n'allev 427 

company rind editor of The Citizen, to succeed liini. Mr. i'.evins resigned tiie 
followinj,' vear and Irving E. Manchester was aiii>ointcd editor of The Citizen, 
Dr. II. II. Drake being elected secretary. After editing The Citizen for seven 
years, Mr. Manchester retired, in 1904, accejiting the editorshiii of tlie Commer- 
cial l.iuUetin. of Hartford, and I,ouis T. Stone, who had heen connecteil with The 
Citizen since it was founded, with the exception of an interim of a few months, 
was elected editor. In the fall of HJ05, upon the death of Mr. Ste\ens, wlio had 
filled the offices of president and treasurer so ahly since the organization of the 
company. Mr. Manchester returned and hecame ]jresident and treasurer of the 
company and managing editor of The Citizen, Mr. Stone remaining as local 
editor, E. M. Piatt being apjiointed editor of the Ijtchtield County Leader. 

In the |iast ten vears The L'itizen has made exteusi\e improvements in its 
plant. there1)V permilting it to become an n|i-to-(late newspaper. In iqo'i a Mer- 
genthaler linotxpe machine ami a ."^cott two-revolution press wert' inst.alled, 
besides other new ei|uipnH'nt, to take the place of worn-out m.achinery. In Kjoc; 
the company mo\ed its jilant to its new office-building, which is one of the l)est 
printing offices in the state. Anothei- \m:\v model lin(]ty|)c machine and a Bab- 
cock Dispatch ]iress were installed, jiermitting the daily edition of ( i,^,oo<t) Citi- 
zens to be run off in less than an hour. 

The Citizen lias the L'nited I'ress .Xsxiciation's telegraphic ■~er\ice, co\ering 
the globe, and serving hundreds <if daily p.iprrs. aKo the serxice nf the .\merican 
Press Association, which em]iloys the abk'-~l writerN ,iud curicspdndents. It has 
also a large corps of able local corres|)on(lenls throughout uoiihweti-rn Comiccti- 
cut and southern Ijcrkshire, Massachusetts, who ])ride tbeiuseUes in gleaning 
everything that is worth while in the w.ay of news. 

winsiicd's ixnrsiKiAi, ni-x ki.oi'm i:xt 

With its remark.able n.itur.il ;id\ant.iges, its w.ater power resources ;ind its 
line shipping facilities. W'instcd early in its histor\- became the center of m;my 
large interests. 

The manufacture of leather has been one of the industiies of Wiusted since 
its earliest days. The abundant forests of hemlock which the settlers foinul here, 
and which gave to this section its title (if the ( ireen Woods, furnished bark 
which was em])Ioyed for the tanning of hides for domestic uses from the first, 
and later industrial enterprises in leather maiuif.acture >praiig up. The dimin- 
ishing supply of bark for tanning purposes has re-ulted in nian\- changes in the 
industry locally. Enough is .still obtained in thi- section, however, for the manu- 
facture of a large amount of leather on the old f.ishioned lines. ;ind modern proc- 
esses based upon other tanning agencies have also been introduced. This busi- 
ness in Winsted is in the hands of George Dudley & Son Co., which ojierates two 
tanneries in the borough and one in ^^'cst Norfolk. 

This is one of the oldest manufacturing enterprises in Winsted. .\ tannery 
has existed on the site of its present main building for over a hundred years, and 
the business dates from 1S31, when the propertv was acquired by the Hon. 
George Dudley. The present company, of which D. L. \'aill is iiresidcnt and 
Andrew Fox (recently deceased, w-as secretary), was incorporated in 1S82. The 
output of the establishment is almost entirely sjilit sheep skins, which are used 
in bookbinding, pocketbook making, and iav a large number of other purposes. 

It is necessary to turn back the pages of Winsted's history to the year 1.S52 
in order to find the record of the first work accomplished bv the concern which 



428 WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATfCK VALLEY 

is now known as the Empire Knife Co. It will be found that two Englishmen, 
Messrs. Thompson and Gascoigne, came to Winsted in that year and opened a 
modest little shop for the purpose of making pocket cutlery. It was called 
"making" in those days. After a period of sixty-eight years, it may well be digni- 
fied by the term "manufacture," because 800 patterns of pocket knives are pro- 
duced. The founders did a fair trade, but lacked capital to develop the industry, 
and in 1856 the business passed into the hands of Beardsley & Alvord. They 
set about enlarging the plant at once, at the same time bringing the business up 
to a profitable basis. They continued the enterprise till 1876, the time of Elliott 
Beardsley 's death. Their successors were James R. Alvord, Eugene Potter and 
Martha E. Beardsley. Later Charles L. Alvord and Seymour Landon Alvord, 
sons of James R. Alvord, assumed an active part in the management. The plant 
was removed to the present site in the west end in 1879. 

In 1890 the business was incorporated under the laws of Connecticut, with a 
capital of $80,000. The plant as it stands today is a model of modern equipment. 
Power is obtained from Mad River. The main building contains 36,000 square 
feet of floor space. The company in 1910 completed its new office building, 
which is an attractive and commodious structure built of brick and appointed 
throughout with modern facilities. As the plant appears now, it is one of the 
largest in America and third in point of age. Hands to the number of 150 are 
employed, every person being qualified in his or her respective department. The 
output of this factory stands at the head and front in (|uality of any in America. 
The ]jroducts are shipped all over the United States. 

In the year 1854 the inhabitants of the United States were not sufficiently 
familiar with the use of pins to demand them in great numbers. Besides, pins 
were not as much in vogue in proportion to the population as at present. Conse- 
quently when John G. Wetmore established himself as a pin manufacturer, the 
market was still in embryo and the factory in Winsted ran along in a modest way. 
This concern is one of Winsted's most important industries, giving employment 
to over three hundred operatives. The coinpany is the producer of the cele- 
brated specialty known as the Pyramid pin ; also proprietor of the Winsted Paper 
Bo.x Co. The plant is one of the best equi]Ji)C(l in Connecticut, both from the 
standard of machinery and sanitary arrangements. Erom a two-story building 
of very cramped dimensions, the factory has been augmented until now it covers 
more than a city block, its latest addition having been built in 1913. 

The founder of the business died about a quarter of a century ago, at which 
time the industry came under the supen-ision of the late Jay E. Spaulding, who 
was the chief executive officer, having as his assistant George F. Drake. To their 
business ability, as well as to the growth of the population of America, as 
already mentioned, is due the development of this industry from a comparatively 
humble enterprise to its present influential position, not only as being one of the 
most valued industrial assets of Winsted from the point of a wage-paying insti- 
tution, but because the New England Pin Co. occupies a place among the leading 
concerns in this line in the United States. 

The Winsted Mfg. Co. was established in 1835, to manufacture scythes. It 
later added grasshooks to its output. The product today comprises grain, grass, 
brush, bramble and lawn scythes, also hay and com knives. The factory devoted 
to this industry is located on North Main Street and occupies 3,000 square feet 
of space, the plant being equipped with modern machinery and with twenty-five 
to thirty hands employed. The business office of the company is located at 60 
Main Street. 




TUK STKOXCI iIANl'FACTrKIN"(! Cd.Ml'AN V. WIXSTKD 












\K\V K\(iLAXl) PIN in\ll\\\\. W I \ M I 



WATI'.RIIURY AXI) Til!-: NAUGATUCK \-ALLEV 429 

The Strong Mfg. Co. wa.s established in East llani-[)ton. in 1X56, hy Mark- 
ham iS: Strong, who carried an a general plating indnstry. In 1857 they branched 
out as manufacturers of undertakers' metallic suii])lies. The business was 
reorganized in February, 1866, under the style of the Strong Mfg. Co., in \\'in- 
sted, with a capital of $16,000. At this lime David Strong and Clark Strong 
moved to Winsted, bringing with them several families of tlie enijiloyees. The 
[jremises were very primitive and modest, the plant at that time Ijeing located in 
a small wooden building which was owned Ijy William L. (lilbcrt. It was on the 
site now occupied by the great building with its five lirick stories and its 30,000 
square feet of floor space, including its jinwer plant, [ilating, casting and jjress- 
rooms in the rear. 

The stockholders in this company comprised: President. William L. Ciilbert; 
secretary, treasurer and agent, Clark Strong (one of the founders); David 
Strong, Normand Adams, C. B. llallett, .\. 1.. \\iers. T. I'.aird. Joseph 11. Norton 
and Kzra Ilaldwin. 

There has been a gradual increase of capital, inilil today it stands at $100,000 
as the result of business development re([uiring additional funds. There are many 
interesting jihases connected with this company's conduct of the great manufac- 
turing industrv whose wage list so materially benefits the average force of 125 
employees and incidentally the merchants of \\'insted. While there are other 
concerns paying out hkjtc wages yearly, the money it i)ays out in wages rep- 
resents more per capita no iloubt than many of these, for the reason that the 
employees here come under the head of skilled mechanics, machinery playing 
comparatively a small part in ihe workings of the f.ictory. 

A prominent Winsted concern devote(l tn the m.inuf.icture of traveling cranes, 
chain hoists, trolleys and tram rail systems is the I'nuiklin .Moore ('n. nt' Winsted. 
It also manufactures "Charter ( ),ak" .and Xorw.av iron carriage, tire, f.mcv and 
special bolts and axle clips. Hoisting m.uhinerv claims its special attention, a 
feature being made of what is known as the Acme ch;u'n hoist. 

The plant is one (if the olilest in this section of Comiecticut. Keuhen Cook 
having established it in iSir for the m.anufaclure of axes. I'Ur some cause the 
business went into li<|uidation. In iS'dO I-'ranklin Moore and I'.dw.ard Clarke 
established the firm of Moore & Clarke tn engage in the mamifactnre of Inilts 
there. Franklin Moore succeeded them in 1870. Mr. Moore died in 18711 and 
was succeeded bv his son. .Alfred E. Moore, who cnnducted the business under 
the name of Franklin Moore & Co. In 1883 the business was incorjiorated with 
a capital stock of ,$66,000, the name being changed to the Franklin Moore Co.. 
the capital being increased later to $110,000. Alfred F. .Mnore. who is well 
remembered bv reason of his famous balloon ascensions, died in i8(jo. Many 
improvements have lieen made to the plant from time to time. In i88q a lirejiroof 
iron building. 100x40 feet, was erected for the forging department. There is also 
a three-story brick building. 70x40 feet, .\nother story and a half frame build- 
ing, 07x35 feet. l)esides a commodious office building, a large storehouse and 
several smaller buildings. 

Far over the half-century line in age is the \\'insted Edge Tool \\'orks. The 
concern now bearing this name was established on Dec. 18. i8f>5. by Thomas 
M. Clark under the style of the Winsted Floe Co. The olficers of this company 
consisted of Thomas M. Clark. ]-iresident and treasurer, and C. S. Foster, secre- 
tar\-. The business was conducted originally, as its name indicated, for the 
manufacture of M.uthern i>lanters' hoes. During the reconstruction period follow- 
ing the civil war. the demand for planters' hoes was ven- slight. More attention 
was given to the line of carpenters' chisels, gauges, and drawing knives, which 



430 WATi'-RHURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

was started by Samuel Boyd in 1827 and continued since that time. In Februar}', 
1868, the line of chisels was strengthened by the purchase of the business and 
good-will of the Witherby Tool Co., of Millbury, Alass., who manufactured the 
well-known line of T. H. Witherby carpenters' tools. Since the purchase of the 
Witherby brand the line of chisels, etc., has been constantly improved and per- 
fected, until at the present time ihey enjoy an enviable reputation and sale 
throughout the world. 

In January, 1882, the style of the concern was changed to the Winsted Edge 
Tool Works, their products comprising chisels, drawing-knives and gauges. The 
factory, which is 40.\387 feet and 150 feet of which is a two-story structure, is 
one of the most modernly ecjuipped plants in New England. Every kind of 
modern machinery is in use for the making of the specialites enumerated. During 
1916 fire seriously damaged the plant, but this has now been rebuilt. 

.'\t the time the Winsted Hosiery Co. was established here in 1882 and incor- 
porated with a capital of $40,000 it was regarded as a piece of great fortune to 
the town. From the days of its modest foundation on the east side of Still River, 
the business has grown until the annual output is stated to be over a million. In 
its incipiency the company had for officers: President, William L. Gilbert; 
secretary and treasurer, L. W. Tiffany, and agent, W. F. Taylor. In the year 
1885 E. B. Gaylord was appointed secretary and in 1888 he took over the general 
management of the plant. The original factory was a three-story wooden struc- 
ture, 48x100 feet. The concern employed 55 operatives. Today the main build- 
ing is 270x50 feet, four stories high : there is a three-storj' building. 36x244 feet; 
another four-story building, 28x240 feet, was recently completed ; there are six 
storehouses and a power building to accommodate a 400 horse-power engine. The 
plant is the second largest of its kind in the state. There are nearly 500 jiersons 
on the payroll. 

The concern manufactures knit underwear and half hose. The trade has 
grown from a slight one until the company's products are shipped to all sections 
of the United States. 

In the year 1888 a number of Winsted men started out to establish a factory 
for knitting men's underwear that should become in time one of the leading 
industries of New England. They organized and incorporated the New England 
Knitting Co., with Henry Gay as president, E. B. Gaylord secretary and treasurer, 
and L. W. Tiffany, general manager. Their plant was very small, — only four 
set.s of carding and spinning machinery were installed. But the promoters, essen- 
tially mill men, started out with hard-headed, practical ideas. The mill has 
grown from a mere cluster of sheds to a gathering of from two to four-story 
buildings whose combined floor space is 66,000 square feet. Besides, the ma- 
chinery has been increased from four sets to thirteen sets. On an average 275 
operatives are employed. It is a notable fact that this mill is always busy, which 
speaks for its products being of the highest values as the demand never slackens. 
The mill runs twelve hours daily every day in the year except Saturday, when 
the doors clo.se at midday. 

The output of the mill finds a market in ever>' section of the United States. 
The billing and collecting is all done at the home office, although spacious sample 
rooms arc maintained at 346 Broadway, New York, bv the fimi of C. C. \'alentine 
.t Co. 

Upon the death of Jay E. Spaulding, in 1910, Mr. Tiffany was elected presi- 
dent to succeed him, continuing as general manager as before. He is also 
manager of the Winsted Yarn Co., a concern which manufactures yarn solely to 
supply the local mills. Mr. Gaylord, the secretary and treasurer, is general man- 
ager of the Winsted Hosiery Co. 




OFFiCK AM) l•■A^•|■(l|;^ \\i\sri:ii imsiiia iomtaw. win^ii;!) 




&1tJi]iillili«ii 




KMI'll;i. In\II I. ^IMU', wrxsTEi) 



WATERBURY AXD THE XAU* iATl'CK \ALLEV 431 

Throughout a period of over forty years the name of the W'instcd Silk Co. 
has been synonyuious with the best grade of spool aud embroidery silk niauufac- 
tured in this country. The business originated in 1874, having been established 
by Eugene and Oscar F. Potter and J. J. Lawler. The incorporation of the 
industry occurred in 1883. l-"roni the founding of the business to the present 
tlay there have l)ecn a number of material changes in the iiersuniu-l of the 
concern. 

The plant has been increased in floor space from time tn time since the found- 
ing of the l)usiness. imtil today it comjirises a \ery large two->tory and a half 
frame liuilding, two story brick office building of mo(k-rn construction and several 
small buildings for the accommodation of the machinerv-, boiler, engine, etc. 
The factory is built on strictly sanitary lines and the operatives, who vary in 
number from lOO to 150, find every comfort found in other modern factories. 
The business is capitalized at .'^i 50,000. It is admitted by the tr;iile that no 
company produces a higher grade of silk thread and embroidery silk than the 
Winsteci Silk Co. 

The Morgan Silver I'late Com]);iny, manufacturers of casket hardware, was 
incorporated in iS8,S under the Connecticut laws, with a capital of $25.0(X). The 
companv bought the old Clifton mill ]>ro])crty on t'lifton and Willow street^ .and 
has made mam- important and substantial improvements from time to lime. 

The main factory building is a three-story structure, 33x10.', in addition to 
wiiich there are storage rooms, boiler rooms, etc. I'.very modern facility is in- 
cluded in llie e(|uipment of the plant. The chief trade lies with undertakers direct, 
for whom llu' comp.aiiy manuf.ictnres casket hardware of a high order. 

In i()00 the com])any accpiired the business of making chamjiagne taps from 
T. S. Carroll, and this is a dt']>arlnient now carried on. In moj tlie company 
added a section to the Iniilding for the m.amifacture of tin lubes for the tr.ide, as 
well as for their own use. 

The first officers of the comp;in\' were j.imes T. Morgan, <,'eneral man.ager, 
formerly connected with the Strong Mfg. Co., .and Salmon .A. Cranger, secretary 
and treasurer, formerly superintendent of the New England I'in Co. Tie died 
in 1897 and Mr. Alorgan retired in 1002. dilbert L. Il;irt, who holds the offices 
of secretarw treasurer and general manager, succeeded .Mr. Granger in 1807 and 
Mr. Morg;in in moj. The late jay E. .^]>aulding was president of the company 
from iS()i until his death in ii)io. He was succeeded by George E. Drake, 
treasurer and general manager of the Xew England Pin Co. 

There had been lumber concerns established in Winsted before the Bronson 
brothers founded, in 18115, the business, now known as the Tiffany & Pickett 
Co., but none ever attained such large proportions or importance. The latter 
succeeded the founders in April, 1905. The Imsiness was incorporated under the 
laws of Connecticut in Septemlier, 1900. 

The ])lant is located in the eastern part of Winsted, on Rowlev Street, at 
the junction of the New ^'ork & New- Haven and the Central New England 
railways. Here the Tiffany & Pickett Co. controls eight acres of land equipped 
with 2,500 feet of sidetracks, thus possessing splendid facilities for receiving 
lumber, masons' materials, etc., in carload lots. The accommodations as they 
exist today represent at least double the facilities controlled in the beginning, 
which goes to illustrate the fimi's growth. The business comprises the wholesaling 
and retailing of lumber, coal and masons' materials, also tlie manufacture of box 
shocks, house trim, etc. Everv modern machine is installed in the way of wood- 
working machinerv. .Another story v\'as recentiv added to the lumber mill, 
40x100, doubling the capacitv. There are modem engine and boiler houses, be- 



432 WATRRBURY AXD THR XALGATIXK \'ALLRY 

sides a box factory with a 200 horse-power engine as the propeller. There is a log- 
sawing mill, substantially built on cement footings and having a capacity for 
10,000 feet of lumber daily. There is a 40 horse-power engine in conjunction 
with this dei)artment. The plant is the largest in the line in town. 

The coal handling facilities embrace fine pockets, the best in Winsted, with a 
cai)acity for 2,000 tons, all under cover and possessing devices for lilling and dis- 
charging by gravity. Thirty-five skilled men are employed by the firm. 

The Carter & Hakes Machine Co. shows a steady growth since it was estab- 
lished in 1899 by F. P. Carter; and this in spite of the fact that the plant was 
bumed down in 1905, w^hen located on Main Street, opposite the Y. M. C. A. 
W'th the s])irit of enterprise worthy of note, the company literally picked itself 
up out of the ashes and opened a plant in the old Kellogg & Wakefield factory 
on Lake Street. After a sojourn of two years at the Lake Street factory, the large 
tract of real estate now occupied by the laundry, grist mill, yarn mill, carpenter 
shop and other buildings, was purchased of Henry Gay, a new factory was 
erected, and the business moved to its present location. Here every modern 
facility is afiforded for the production of general and special machiner)'. This 
is practically the only machine shop in the town where this particular kind of 
business is carried on, the specialties manufactured comprising machines for 
milling jjarts for automobiles, bicycles, sewing machines, typewriters, guns, etc. 
The company also manufactures special machinery of almost any description, 
and has built up quite a trade in this line. The plant occupies an area of about 
18,000 square feet, this being distributed throughout three stories. On an average 
thirty-five hands are employed. 

The Winsted Hardware Mfg. Co., one of Winsled's youngest enterprises, 
was incorporated in June. 1910, with a capital stock of $100,000. 

The company purchased the Kellogg & Wakefield plant on Lake Street and a 
few months later was manufacturing and shipping goods. The business has con- 
tinued to grow, as it is bound to do, under the present able management, those 
in charge being practical men and thoroughly acquainted with their lines of 
business. About fifty hands are employed, and it is expected that in time the 
number \v\\\ exceed one hundred. 

The Goodwin & Kintz Co. was incorporated under Connecticut laws on March 
8th, i8q7, with a capital of $12,000. The business was established at Shelton, 
with George Lamping as president, Clemens Kintz, secretary, and Winslow 
Goodwin, treasurer. In 1899 the business was removed to Winsted and the capital 
was increased to $24,000. A purchase was made of the Winsted Clock Co.'s 
factory on North Main Street. On June 12. 1900. President Lamping died and 
James G. Woodruff was elected president. The business was removed to the 
Winsted Shoe Co.'s factory on Rowley Street in 1903 by an exchange of prop- 
erties. Two new brick buildings were erected for a plating room and casting 
shop. The capital stock was again increased in 1903, this time to $50,000. The 
present plant comprises about 33,000 square feet of space. Two acres of land 
adjoining the premises have been acquired recently for the purpose of extending 
the plant and the erection of another building is contemplated. The number of 
employees averages 133. many being skilled in their respective branches. 

The factory buildings of the T. C. Richards Hardware Co., manufacturers of 
upholster)', fancy and general hardware and brass goods and one of the leading 
industries of Winsted, were rebuilt promptly after the disa.strous fire of Jan. 5, 
1910. which almost totally destroyed the plant. The new buildings are all con- 
structed of brick, and another stoiy. making five in all. has been added to the 
main building, which is 35x200 feet and graced with a high castellated square 



WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 433 

tower. These works are located directly on the line of the Central New England 
Railway and have one of the finest water power privileges in Winsted and an 
excellent steam plant, used mostly for heating, lacquering, etc. The business was 
established in 1863 in New York City by Thomas C. Richards and was removed 
to Winsted in 1874 and the present corporation formed. 

The founding of the enterprising chair manufacturing concern now conducted 
under the style of the B. J. Harrison Son Co. goes back to the year 1840, when 
B. J. Harrison established the business in New York City. The founder died 
about twenty-five years ago. About that time the present name of the firm was 
adopted. The business was brought to Winsted in 1005 by E, P. Jones, who still 
carries it on under the name of the B. J. Harrison Son Co. 

There are ten different kinds of chairs made here, all folding chairs, in natural, 
mahogany, rosewood, grain and other linishes. In addition to chairs the com- 
pany turns out hardwood step-ladders and knock-down card tables. These goods 
have a great vogue and, like the folding chairs, their market is over the United 
States, in retail and wholesale (|uantities ; that is, from one chair to lots of thou- 
sands. 

Another branch of business is conducted, namely, the manufacture of cement 
vaults, used for burial pur])0ses. These comprise three difTerent models and they 
are sold to the undertakers' trade. This l>ranch was added in April, iQCxi, and 
it has already proved a successful enterprise. 

In every department of the factory, with its J.OOO square feet of floor s]iacc 
and the annexes, the perfection bestowed upon the work is noticealile. The 
products are first-class and the business has developed materially within the past 
ten years, since Mr. Jones removed it to Winsted. 

The growth of the piano and organ trade in this countrv is making it r)ne of 
the great industries of America. Contemporarv with the expansion of the piano 
trade is the natural increase of stools and duet l)enches. It is a unique industry. 

The John W. Roe Piano Stool Mfg. Co. is located at Boyd and Lake streets. 
Mr. Roe, who came to an untimely death .^pril 16, 191 1. was a practical cabinet- 
maker and first engaged in the manufacture of high-grade piano stools and duet 
benches in 1902. The trade has grown until goods are now shipped to all parts 
of the LInited States. The factor)' coiuprises a main building, 60x80 feet, and 
another structure, 22x80 feet, these netting 13.500 square feet of floor space, 
besides a boiler house, dry kiln and other buildings. The water privilege is one 
of the finest in town. The plant is equipped with the latest improved wood- 
turning machinery and every facility is afforded for turning out high grade piano 
stools and duet benches in dififercnt woods and of various artistic designs. From 
ten to twenty qualified hands are employed. The quality and beauty of the 
products are unquestioned. 

THE WINSTED CH.\MI!ER OF COMMERCE 

The first meeting in the movement to organize the Winsted Business Men's 
-Association was held December 4. 1903. and was addressed by Messrs. Holcomb 
and Temple of Torrington and IMr. .MHs of Derby. Arthur L. Clark was chair- 
man of the meeting, and Daniel Colt secretary. A committee was appointed to 
draft a constitution and by-laws. Two days later the association was formallv 
organized. J. H. Alvord was elected president, George W. Gage, vice president, 
and Daniel Colt, secretary and treasurer. 

During its nearly fourteen years of existence the association has accom- 
plished many things of importance to the civic life of the borough, especially 



434 WATEKBURY AND THE NAUGATL'CK VALLEY 

in the way of agitating vital public questions, among these being the matter of 
the installation of water meters, disposal of sewage and garbage, medical inspec- 
tion of schools, besides questions of general interest throughout the state, the 
association being a branch of, and affiliated with, the State Business Men's Asso- 
ciation. 

The organization of the Winsted' Club to unite the various interests of town 
and borough more closely was due to the Business Men's association. The 
objects of the Winsted Business Men's Association are to "protect its members 
from bad debts and frauds, to promote by common action the business and social 
interests of Winsted and its citizens and to co-operate with similiar societies and 
otler cities and the State Business Men's Association." 

It is now known as The Winsted Chamber of Commerce, and its officers are: 
President, George F. Drake ; secretary, Wm. C. Kemp ; treasurer, Charles V. 
Claflin. 

THE WINSTED CLUB 

The first movement in Winsted having as its avowed purpose the uniting of 
the various sections and interests of the town for civic betterment, industrial im- 
provement and the cultivation of a higher degree of sociability among the resi- 
dents, took form in the organization of the Winsted Club in 1910. 

The articles of incorporation state that the purpose for which the club was 
formed is "to inculcate the s])irit of civic pride and co-operation, to promote 
the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members." A lot on Fairview 
Heights was purchased, and an artistic and commodious cltibhouse was occupied 
in IQI.3. Its officers for 1917 are: President, Charles K. Hunt; secretary, Wm. 
R. Buck; treasurer, James Hart. 

THE WINSTED V. M. C". A. 

The present organization of the Winchester Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion dates from April 11, 1887. Prior to that time, however, the work had been 
maintained at different times, but not on a permanent basis. Rooms were secured 
in the Wetmore block, over where the postoffice is now located, and friends sub- 
scribed $1,500 to maintain the work for a year. The permanence of the move- 
ment in Winsted was largely due to the work of Edward B. Phillips of Phila- 
dcljihia. who became the first general secretary. Mr. Phillips proved the right 
man in the right place. He was a hard, persistent worker and a champion of 
every good cause and a tower of strength to the churches. Pie labored here for 
thirteen years and his efTorts were ably sustained by a group of loyal men and 
women, many of whom still stand by the association in all its endeavors. The 
officers and directors at the time of organization were: President, David Strong; 
vice president, R. E. Holmes ; recording secretary, L. M. Blake ; treasurer. George 
H. Alvord : directors, H. L. Roberts. David Strong, C. J. York. Gilbert L. Hart. 
L. C. Colt, I. B. W^oodruflf, J. A. Smith and George Richards. 

At the same time a w^omen's auxiliary was organized and became a strong 
support to the organization and at critical periods has aided the association with 
generous gifts. The first officers were: President, Mrs. C. J. Camp; vice presi- 
dents. Mrs. David Strong. Mrs. E. P. Wetmore. Mrs. John Rippere. Mrs. R. E. 
Holmes; treasurer, Mrs. Henry Gay; secretar)'. Miss E. Barrett; church rep- 
resentatives, IMiss Olive Barber. Mrs. Emily Steele, Mrs. Clark Strong and Miss 
Nettie Dean. The work of this noble band of women, many of whom are today 




WIXSTKI) ( I.ri;. WINSTKI) 



\ 



WATERUURY AND THE NAUGATUCK \'ALLEY 435 

supporting the association, has had much to do with the progress and developing 
of the Y. M. C. A. With the strong, aggressive work well maintained, the rooms 
in the VVetniore hlock were soon outgrown and the present property on Main 
Street secured. 

W hen Secretary I'hillips left in 1900 to enter mission work in Philadelphia, 
the association had erected a gymnasium in the rear of the home and had built up 
a strong work for body, mind and spirit. 

W. A. Wells, an experienced secretary in Y. M. C. A. work in Connecticut, 
was called to the local held and met the critical conditions wisely and sucessfully. 
During his term of service Cl. L. Listman was called to devote his time to the 
work of the gymnasium and became the first physical director. 

The three years of service by Mr. Wells were years of progress, and when he 
resigned to enter business in Ilartford, Erwin K. Smith of Attleboro was called to 
the secretaryship. During his three jears of service the linal payment on the debt 
of the property was made and a fund for the new building started. Physical 
Director Philip H. Slocum was called to be jjhysical director to succeed Mr. List- 
man, who went to Brooklyn. J, I'Yank Leonard of Rutland, Vt., followed Mr. 
Smith in 1906, and during his term of office summer work was carried on for 
the lirst time and the all around character of the work maintained. Both Mr. 
Leonard and Mr. Slocum, after less than two years of service, went to Meriden, 
and W. J. Maylott of Owcnsboro, Ky., and A. J. Pitt of Ansonia succeeded them 
as general secretary and physical director respectively. Mr. Pitt was succeeded 
by L. J. Denning of Taunton, Mass., who resigned to go to Alton, 111. 

Work on the new $45,000 Y. M. C. A. building was completed late in 191 5. 

The present officers (T917) of the Y. M. C. A. are: President, Darwin S. 
Moore: vice president, Fred Strong; recording secretary, II. L. Slawson ; treas- 
urer, Raljili W. Holmes. 

The Ladies' Auxiliary to the Y. M. C. A. organized in 1SS7, has as its officers 
now (1917): Mrs. C. J. Canij). president: Mrs. J. j. Lawkr. secretary; Mrs. 
Alice D. Vaill, treasurer. 

THE n.\NKIXr. INSTITUTIONS OF WIXSTED 

Winsted is particularly fortunate in its strong financial institutions. The 

following, which are the reports on file January i. IQ17, give an idea of the 
stability of the town's banks: 

Capital -Surplus Deposits 

Hurlbut National Bank .$205,000 $205,770 ^^2.46o 

First National Bank 100,000 35.9fp 250,000 

Mechanics Savings Biank 221.780 1.0^4,210 

W'insted Savings Bank 334,260 2,455,770 

The Hurllnit Xatinnal Rank of Winsted was founded in 1S84. Its officers are: 
President, A. L. Clark: vice president, L. W. Tiffany; cashier, W. II. Phelps; as- 
sistant cashier, George L. Smith. Its directors are E. B. Gavlord. D. L. \^Till. 
L. W Tiffany, E. R. Holmes, W. H. Phelps, James G. Woodruff, and G. L. Clark. 

The Winsted Savings Bank was established in i860. Its officers are: Dudley 
L. \'aill, president; S. Landon Alvord, vice president; J- Albert Smith, treasurer; 
Harold N. Goodwin, assistant treasurer. 

The Mechanics Savings Bank of Winsted was organized in 1875. Its offices 
are as follows : IT. L. Roberts, president, and Charles .S. Jopp. treasurer. 

The officers and directors of the First National Bank, which was founded m 



436 WATERRURY AXU THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY 

1879, are Lorenzo M. Blake, president; Joseph A. Norton, vice president; I'Vank 
D. Ilallett, cashier; Charles P. Hallett, assistant cashier. The directors are 
Edward H. Persons, Lorenzo M. Blake, Joseph A. Norton, Henry L. Roberts, 
Luman C. Colt, James G. Woodruff, Frank D. Hallett, Frank Sackett, Dwight B. 
'i'iffany. 

Winsted has shown a steady growth, particularly in the past few years. j 

According to the Government figures, it had a population of 7,760 in 1900. On | 

July I, 1917, the estimated population, as given by the U. S. census authorities, ' 

is 9,345. State health board figures place the population at nearly 11,000 in the 
fall of 1917. 



I 



INDEX 



Abagadasset Club, The, 290 

Acids and heavy chemicals, 239 

Aldermen, Board of, takes place of select- 
men, 6; from 1893-1920, 14 

Algonquin Club, The, 291 

Almshouse. The City's, 29 

Amateur dramatics and theaters, 301 

American Brass Company. 197- 199; constab- 
ulary of, 17 

American Uiain Co., 234 

American Fastener Co., 19(), 222 

American Indian Collection, 87 

A. M. K. Zion Cluirch, Winsteil, 423 

American Mills Co., 192, 238 

American Pin Co., 191, 227 

American King Co., 19.5, 215 

A. (>. Foresters, 259 

Ancient (3rder of Hibernians, 258 

A. O. U. W., 259 

Ansonio Brass & Copper Co.. 199 

Anti-Tuberculosis Leajjue, ITil 

Arcliitccfure, Civic, I'.ir, 

Associated fharitics, 1(;7 

Athletic and .Sporting Organizations. 293 

Atlas JIacliine Co., 236 

Auditorium. The tlity Hall. 42 

Automatic Macliinerv. 230 

Autoyre Co., Tlie, 241 

Babv Welfare Station, 17,S 

Baird Machine Co., 196, 243 

Ball Heading Machines, 234 

Bank Hotel, 156 

Bank, Seymour's. 308 

Bank Street Bridge, 32 

Banking and Insurance. 140 

Banks. Savings, 147 

Banks of Naugatuck, 3."i9; of Torrington, 

398; of Winstcd. 435 
Bannatyne Watch Co.. 226 
Bar Association, Waterbury. 291 
Barge Canal Project, 30. 40; Mr. Preston's 

report, 40; tidewater and distances, 40; 

appropriation of congress for survey, 40; 

Kstimated cost <if, 40 
Barlow. Thomas 11.. 4. 11 
Bartlett. Paul Wayland. 57 
Baseball Diamond, 54 
Baseball League, the boys". 68 
Beach, George M.. 15; sketch of. 21 
Beach, Ceorge W.. 103 
Beacon Falls Rubber Industry, 352 
Beginnings of Winsted Borough, 412 
Begnal School, The, 72 
Benedict & Bnrnaham Manufacturing Co., 

193, 199, 227 
Benefactions of Elisha Leavenworth, 283 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, 255 
Berbecker & Rowland Manufacturing Co., 191, 

231 



Brrtillon Room, 45 
Hlakc. & .loliuson Co.. 197, 231 
Blessed Sacra nuMit Parish, 130 
Board of Kducation, Torrington. 394 
Boards of Waterburv; Finance, 5; Kdu( 
(14; I'cdice (omini'ssioneis, 15; Public 
tv. .-.. 1.-.: Puhli,- \\.,iks, 5 
Bonde.l Debt. >.K 10 
Books, Rare, in Hrouson Library, 85 
Booth & Haydens, 194. 199 
Borough government. Naugatuck, 356 



ition. 
Safe- 



rriiii^tii 
<, Win 



Borough Ollicers. Ti 
iJon.unh Waterwork 
Buys- Club. 273 
Boy Si'outs of .\me 
Brass Industry. Iso, 
Brewers, 242 
Bridge, the steel, ov. 
Bridge Bonds. 10 
Bridgeport Soi-ial Telegrapl 
Bridges, Waterbury 's new, : 

contemplated, 32 
Bristol Co.. The, 194, 237 
Broadwav Hotel, 160 
Bronson,'Xatlianiel K.. 14 
Bronson Librarv. The. S4 

Christmas book exliibiti. 



I. 404 
U-<\. 41:. 



r Piitaturk Itiver. 93 



•ociation. 101 
i>uiplcted ami 



branches. 
86; fund. 



memorial tablets, !l(); ollicers and bi 
agents, SO; pamphlet collection, 85 
Bron/e Products, 182 
Brooklyn Athletic Club. 294 
Brown's Hotel, 156 
Buckles. Metal Buttons, etc.. 241 
Bucks Hill and Bunker Hill Schools. 
B\icks Hill Uni<m t'ha|iel. 120 
Buildings distro\'ed in f^reat lire of 111 



Buildiri; 
Bunker 
Busiues 
Button? 



r Trades t'ounc-il. 267 
Hill Congregational churi 
5, S<]eial. Patriotic Clubs. 

. 187 



Cairns. RoIxtI A.. 31, 33, 34 

Call to Arms, 1917, .114 

Calvary Cemetery. 59 

Camiibell. Andrew C, Inc., 197, 233 

Capacity of reservoirs. 33 

Catholic Activities. Other. 131 

Catholic churches of Waterbury. 122 

Catholic W'omen's Benevolent Legion. 

Celtic Medical Society, 292 

Cemeteries and Parks, Waterbury's, 

Cemeteries, .Tewish, 60 

Cemeteries, Torrington's. 402 

Census, W'atertown, 345 

Center School District of Waterburv. 

63 
Central Labor T'nion. 268 
Chand>er of ( 'omuicn 
ChanibiT of ('omnieit 



Waterbury, 
Tcurington, : 



437 



438 



INDEX 



Qiarities, tlie Board of, 6, 29 

Gluirlotte Ihuigorford Hospital, 400 

Cliaitor of new Waterbury city government, 
5 

Cliase, Irving H., I'.i 

Chase Park, 54; Recreation House of, 55 

Cliase Rolling Mill Company, l'j:i 

Clieshire Loop, 94 

Chief Knj^ineers of Waterbury l-'ire De])art- 
ment, 27 

C'hikiren, employment of, 7',) 

Christian Science Church, Winsteil, 423 

Chronicles of city of W'atcrburv, Ollicial. 4-29 

Church History,' Watertowii, :i4U; of Nau-a- 
tuck, 354 

Cliureh of Immaculate Conception, 123 

Church property, Torrington, 385 

Churclies, Tlioniastoii's, 379; of Scymoui', 
364; of Torrington, 394 

Citizens National Bank, 152 

City CUrks, Waterbury, 12 

City Court Room, 46 

City Kngiiieer's plans for water supply, 33 

City Hall, the old, 42; auditorium for the- 
atrical performances, 42; remodeled, 42; 
lire of, 43; Annex, 43; the new, 44; com- 
mission on building, 44; dedication, "Old 
Home Week," November 25-27, 1915, 44; 
description of, 44, 45; interior arrange- 
ments and decorations, 45; dedication, more 
details, 47; sale of old, 48; receipts and 
expenditures for site and building, 47 

City L.mits of Waterbury extended, 5 

City oftices in IJlIey Building, 43 

City Ollicials, Offices of, 45 

City Seen itics, 10, 11; interest on, 11 

City Sherilfs, 1893-1918, 13 

City, town and school governments, consoli- 
dation of, 4, 5 

Civic Architecture of a Quarter Century. 136 

Clark Commanderv, 348 

Clark School, 71 

Clearing house, the, 147 

Clock and Bell. The City Hall, 46 

Clock on The Green. The. 48 

Clock Tower, on The Green, and ilonations 
for, 56 

Clockmakcrs. Town of, 377 

Clocks, Watches, Pins, etc., 224 

Clubs and Associations. 285 

Coe Brass Company, 199 

College B. quest, the Porter, 83 

Colley's, Mr., efforts toward part improve- 
ments, 56 

Colonial Trust Company, 153 

Communication and Transportation, 93 

Community ( hristmas Trees, 283 

Community Ell'orts, Philanthropy and Re- 
forms, 270 

Comptrollers, since 1893, 12 

Conflagration of February. 1902, 22 

Connectioit Brass Foundry Company, 218 

Connecticut historical collection, 89 

Connecticut Manufacturing Company, 223 

Connecticut Railway & Lighting Company, 
97 

Conservation Plans for the Naugatuck River, 
37 

Constabulary, Waterbury's, 16 

Continental l^dge, 245 

( ontiiiuation School. 76 



Coolcy House, 156 

Corner stone laying of Masonic Temple, 
Waterbury, 250 

Corporations, active and lapsed, 323; manu- 
facturing, 237; dissolved, 333 

Cost of reservoirs and capacity, 40 

Country Club of Waterbury, The, 289 

Court House. The Waterbury, 49; building 
of the new, dedication and cost, 49; jury 
and court rooms, 50 

Craft and Industry Institute, 380 

CVoft, Margaret, sketch of, 82 

Croft School, the Margaret, 66 

Crosby, Minot Sherman, 81 

Crosby High School, 67; crowded condition 
of, in 1911, 69; attendance in 1914 and 
improvements, 7J 

Curtin, Rev. Jeremiah J., 134 

Dams and Reservoirs, 33 

Dams No. 1, 2 and 3, as projected, 39 

Dates of dissolution of Corporations, 333 

Daughters of America, 178 

Daughters of American Revolution, 292 

J)aughters of Rebekah. 253 

Davis, William H., 273 

Ded. cation of New City Hall, 44 

Delmar Hotel, 160 

l)e Uiiig Company, The, 234 

Dintal Association, Waterbury, 291 

Di'partmcnts of Kducation and I'ublic Health, 

Dianu.nd drills. 240 

Dime Savings Bank, Waterbury, 151 

Dissolved Corporations, 333 

Domestic Science, 76 

Donovan, :M. C. 83 

Ddolittle. Thomas B., telephone pioneer, 101 

Draft, The. 314 

Diaiiiav'c and water supplv. 33 

l)iaiiia:^e Bonds, 10 

Drama and .Musif, 298 

ICagle Brewing Co., 243 

lOagles, Fraternal Order of, 261 

ICarle's Hotel, 156 

Karly closing movement in Waterbury, 282 

Early History of Thomaston, 377 

Karlv History of Torrington. 387 

Last Main Street high school, 64 

Kast Mountain Reservoirs, 33 

ICastern Brass & Ingot Company, 196, 218 

Kducation. department of, 5, 6; the Water- 
bury board of, 64 

Egan," Chief George M.. 15. 16, 19, 21 

Electric Railroad System, 96 

Electric Railroads, noted managers of, 105 

Elks. The. of Waterbury, 355 

Elks Club in Waterbury. 291 

I'.lks Clubhouse, Torrington, 402 

Elm-beetle year, the, 54, 55 

Elton, .lohn P.. 11, 15 

lOlton Hotel. 156 

Employment Ollices. Waterbury, 187 

Engine Company No. 1. Waterbury, 21 

Kudd Avenue Park, 55 

Eureka Chapter. No. 23. R. A. M., 248 

Evangelical Lutheran St. John's church of 
Waterbury. 119 

Evening schools, average attendance of, 61; 
attendance in 1911, 69 



I 



INDEX 4:W 

lv\i-iii|itioii bonnls. :n4 Ci-iii.l List. HonniQli (if Turrinptoii. 40?, 

i:\.'Hi>cs at lii-dicatioii i.l Citv Hall, 47 l iiamh l.•^^ Avciiui- liriilf;o, :!L> 

i:\|in'ss Cdiiiiiaiiii'S, 100 ' Ci.'.n, [111.. .-,:3; later lii^tcn'v of, T..". 

•■C.-cii-' Line. The. 101) 
Kaetniv .■..iifruetinn in Waterhui V. I'.KI liiaee l!a|ili>t rhnirli. W ateil.mv. 11>: 
Kairel Kc.iiiulrv iV Maehiiie r(.ni|.aiiv, :.':;(! ( Ira. e Met ImmII^I K|.i>-e.,|.al Clmieli. Water- 
Federal l!uilil)ii^ (il Waterliiin, :.i) wile. 11 .", 
Fiiianees df Wadiliurv in la^t twentv-live 

years. (Ml ' " Hall l,..lida\s, 'jsa 

Fire of VMK. 2:2; li^lltin^; tlie. :M, :.'.-,: l,,s.s uf Hall. S. W ..' in'.pn^t for .Mem. .rial (Tia|.el. 58 

life, 25; buildings <lestr<.\ .■.! aii.l vain.', I.'".. Ilaniill..ii i'ark. ,.n.. ..I h.Miitv s]...ts of \Va- 

2fi; its ell'eets. irifi ' t.il.iii \-. :.:.' 

Firo Alarm Station, the cVntral. of Water- llarni.,n\ 1,...!;;... X... l:>. F. .>^ A. :\1.. 245 

bur.v, 23 llartl..r.i, Win.N..r an.l Win-t.-.l land elainis. 

Fire an.l j.uliee .lepiii tnn nts. Xaimatn.-k. I'.Cil 4i); 

Fire and [loliee .lei.artnients. Winkled. 4 1 :! Ifartfor.l lo-^ist.-r ('..nipanv. 101 

Fire Department of \V:iterbnr,v. history of Hart llolh.w, :;".M) 

for lH!i:! to 11117, 21; Imildines of," 21 : Ihu tli'N. I ;...r,ne. 19('i 

volunteers of, 21; . .|ui|.ni.nt of. 22: foiee llarth-'v Wile Die ('..in|.an.v, 241 

in 1917. 32; eliief eiii^iii.'er-i of. 27; new llartv,' Kev. William A.. 5'.) 

home in Citv Hall. 45 llav.i.n .■..ileeti..n. !)0 

Fires of last .'|iiarter .■.■iiliirv in Wat.'H.urv. llav.-, .\, 1'.. i:; 

3G ■ ' II. •all!.. I',..ai.| .,1 I'lil.li.'. 2S; (.llieers, 2S; in- 
First baptist ( linieh ..f Wat.i l.iirv. lie. s|..-.l..i s. 2s; .■..ninii-si.mers. 2<.l 
First Haj.tist Clinreh, W in-t.-.l. 422 \\,-a\\ .h. nii.als. 2:;'.i 
First Cliiiri'b, Collar. -all. .nal. Wa l.i lini v. 107 ll.'itman. I hi. I Kmjin.Mi Ifiiirv H.. 27 
First Cliureh of Christ, S.i.Miti^l . Waterhinv. H.dlnian lirevviii- Cnipanv. 2 12 

130 H.'iniiiwav A Haiti, tl Mlk ( '..iii|.an.v. 1'.I5 

First Confiresath.nal ( hni.h. 'ni..mast..n. :i7;i Heii.l..rs..ii l!i..tiier-. 2:; I 

First ilethodisl Kpisi-opal Chnnli of Water- lleii.lri. k.n, Fatli.r. 5>.) 

burv, 114 llendri.k.'H S.h..,,]. a.hlitions t... 73 

First settler in 'r..rrini;for.l, :;s..i Hishwavs. 'r..rrin.;;t..n's lirst. :;S'.I 

First town meefinsr. w'iiuli.st.r. 40.S lli-h seh.i..l iittendan.-e, OS 

Fit/henrv, Peter. 14 ni<;h s.h.>..l liiipiU. numlMa- of Wat.-rbnr.v's. 

Fitzsimo'ns, Father, 50 02 

FlafT, Waterburv"s j\luiii.i|.al. 47 Hioli S.h.n.U. 'Ih.' Cn.sl.v, OT ; The Wilh.v, SI 

Flay-l'.ile, The. 50 llj^t..ri.al S.i.i.lv, t lu- ^i;lt tal u.k. 01 

Flanders Hotel. 100 lli-t..i-.\- of Waf.'rlmrv. int.Te^tinj; lia|>ppn- 

Foreifiii-born population. 70 in^s in fh.'. so 

Foresters, 250 Histoiv of Catholie Cliunli in Wiiiste.l, 424 

Forestirs of Ameriea. 250 History of Torrinfiton's C,nieti>ries. 403 

Foundries and machine shops. 2:;0 Historv of Wiiisteil's Clinrehes. 410 

Fountains, public, 53; on Th.' Creeii, 5S Hoadh'V, H. i:.. 2.-.2 

Foxboro Company, The. 3:.i7 Hodson's H..t,d. Wati^Hiury. 100 

Franklin. Henjamin. monument of, 50 Holmes, ]?.)otli & Ibiy.l.'us, 338 

Franklin House. 150 Holy Name S.icieties, 132 

Fraternal Ord.T of Ea,i;h's. Wat.abury Lodge, Hume of Rubber Industry, 34C 

201 Hom.-s, S..m.' Xaugatn.k, :!02 
Frencb Manufacturing Company, 105, 217 Hook ami l.a.l.ler Com|.any N'.i. 3. Water- 
French Societies, 265 bur\ . 2 1 
Frv, R. fr. & Company, 100 H.x.ks an.l Fves. I'iiis. X. ■.■.lies, idc, 224 

H.>sieiv Mak.Ts. 242 

Caffuev. -laiuis F.. lOS ll.,^pilal. l harh.tt.. Huii,t;.rlor.l. 400; l.it.h- 

Carbage Disposal, pr.iblems ,.f Waterburv's, liel.l C..nnl\. 41s 

39 Ib.tchkiss. William V... 11. 13 

0. A. R. Post. Wat.Tbniv, 205 Ibitels, 150 

(iavlor.l Farm Sanatorium. 174 H.aisin- pr..l.l.iii. Waterlmrv's. 141 

Ceiieral Manufa.turiiej C.mi]iaiiv. 197,333 1 lum;.'rl..ril. Iharlott.'. Ib.spital. 400 
(ienuan Kvaiigeli. al Luth.i-aii .Inii.'h of Wa- 

terbury, IIS I,.,, (ompaiii.s .,f \\;it.'rbury, 242 
(ierman Societies, 200 

(iilbert Home for frieiidh'ss .hiMii.u. 400 

Cilbert Home,Th.> William P.. 410 im|.r..v. m.-nt- .m W at.'i Imrv'- streets 

(iilbert School. 400 Incoi ii..rat h.iis lih.l 1S04 1017, 323 

Cirls' Club an.l Industrial S.I10..I. Water- p ,» ,, p ._,.-, 

bury, 278 In.b'pi'U.l.nt Oi.l.'r ..f For.sters. 260 

Co.idyear, Charles, 350 lii.lustrial D.^v.lopni.iit. Wal.Ttown's. 342 

i;..ss.'ilonation to park system, 55 Industrial I)..v.l..piii.^iit. \\iiisti'd's. 427 

Cothii- Hall, 42 " In.lustrial K\paii-i..ii, r..i rinul.m's. i'.Ol 

CiiL.l.- Cr..ssings. idiminati.m of. 03 Industrial S.I 1 ami ( Girls' ( 'liib. ^\':L(.■rbur.' 

Cran.l List of Waterburv since 1893, 0. 7 27s 



Imi.r.iv.'d Or.ler ..f P.-l M. 
Improvement P.i ' 



440 



INDEX 



Industries of Toiriii>;t(iM, lurgor, 386 
IngersoII "Dollar" Watch. 187. 224 
IngersoU, K. ]I. & ISrotlier. 225 
Insurance and liankini; History of Water- 
bury. 146; recent {levelojiment of, 155 
Institute of Craft and Industry, 280 
luternationjil Silver Company, 190, 237 
Iron horse's first visit, 409 
Italian Congregational Church, 111 
Italian Societies of Waterbury, 266 

Jackson, Thomas F., 195 

Jacques' Theater, 302 

Jewish CV'nietcries, fiO 

Jury and Court Rooms in New Courthovise. 50 

Kalblleisch Corporation, The, 190, 239 

Kellogg, Frank W., hero of Manila Bay, 313 

Kennedy, Joseph P., 83 

Kiefer, Daniel, 4 

Kilduff, Hon. K. G., 4, 11, 15, 18 

Kingsbury Hotel, 160 

King's Daughters, 177 

Knights of Columbus, 256 

Knights of the (iolden Kagle, 263 

Knights of Maccabees, 264 

Knights of Pythias, 253 

Kork-N-Seal Caps, 240 

Labor Organizations, 267 

Ladies' Auxiliary, A. O. H., 358 

Lamps, 187 

Lane Manufacturing Company. 241 

Larkin. William .1.. 13 

Leavcnwortli. Klisha, 229 

Leavenworth, Klisha, donation to Franklin 
Monument, 56 

Leavenworth, Elislia, gifts of, 54, 87, 283 

Letter carriers' organization, 51 

Lewis, Truman S., gift toward clock. 56 

Liberty Loans, Re<l Ci-oss, etc., 316 

Liberty Street Bridge, 33 

Library, The Bronson, 84; Seymour, 368; 
Torringtou, 399; Waterbury, 61; Water- 
town, 342 

Library Park, 54, 58, 86 

Lille V, Hon. George L., 13, 319 

List 'of Incorporations filed, 1894-1917, 323 

Litchfield Countv Hospital, 418 

Ixical Unions. 268 

Long-Wind Waterbury, The, 225 

Loose-leaf metal ring, 241 

Losses, few maiuifacturing, 243 

Ivoss of Life in Fire 1902, 25 

Loyal Order of Moose, 260 

Ludington Cigaret Machine Company, 233 

Lux C'lock Manufacturing Company, 227 

McGivnev day, 135 

McGrath', John F., 13 

Machine Shops and Foundries. 330 

Mad River, 405 

Mad River Bridge, 32 

Manufacturers' Foundry Co., 191, 235 

Manufacturers' National Bank, 152 

ilanufacture, Seymour's, 368 

Manufacturing Corporations, Watcrbury's, 

237 
Manville Brothers Company, 243 
.\fanville, K. J. Machine Co.". 191, 231 



Margaret Croft School, 66 
Masonic and oth<T fraternal orders, 245 
Masonic Building Fund Trustees, 245 
Masonic Choir, 300 
Ma.sonic Temple, 250; dedicated, 251 
Mattatuck Historical Society, The, 61; erec- 
tion of Sled Hall Brook memorial tablet, 
48; purjKjses, etc., 86; list of collections, 
88; officers and committees of, 91 
Mattatuck Manufacturing Company, 194, 221 
Mattatuck Rod & (iun Club, 294* 
Matthews & Willard Manufacturing Com- 
pany, 198, 213 
May Festival, 1917, 300 
Mayors of Waterlniry, 11; vote on, 11, 12 
Medical Associatitm, Waterbury, 291 
.Memorial Chapel, the, 58; dedication of, 59; 

renovation of and donations to, 59 
Merchants Trust Company, 153 
Metal buttons, buckles, etc., 241 
Metal Specialties Onnpany, 236 
Metal Specialty Manufacturing Company, 197 
Methodist church, Thomaston, 380; Winsted, 

421 
Mexican border troubles, 313 
Military activities, 312 
Military Band, Boys' Club, 276 
Miller, Mahlon D., railroad man, 104 
.Modern Woodmen of America, 262 
Monuments to Rochambeau's army, 317 
Morden Manufacturing Company, 241 
Morris Plan Bank, 149 
Morris Reservoirs, 33 
.Mothers' Club, The, 293 

.Mount Olive A. M. K. Zion church of Water- 
bury, 116 
Movie" period, The. 303 
.Mvilcahy, Rev. .lohn A.. 59, 80 
Mulcahy School, the, 65; fire of the, 71 
-Murder cases, celebrated. 17 
Museum, the Bronson Library, 85 
.Music and the drama, 298 
Mutual Aid Society, The, 15 

Naturalist Club, The, 290 

National Company. 197, 218 

National Guard arrives in Street Car Strike, 

19, 20 
National Wire Mattress Company, 343 
Naujiatuck, 346 

Division, 93 

Division double-tracked, 30 

Fire and Police Dejiartments, 361 

From Colonial Period, 347 

Homes, some, 363 

Public Utilities, 360 

Railroad Company, 409 

River Conservation, 30, 37 

River, diverting the, 30 

Schools, 353 

Y. M. C. A., etc., 363 
Naugatuck's Banks, 359 
NauL'atuck's Churches, 354 
Naugatuck's early industrial development, 

349 
Naugatuck's new post oflfiee, 361 
Naugatuck's principal industries. 350 
Nee<lles. pins, hooks and eyes, 183, 224 
New Britain Machine Companv. 232 
New England Order of Protection, 263 



INDEX 



441 



New Kngland Watch Coiiipaiiy, 194 
Newspapers. Torringtoii. 401 ; Wateibiiry, 

307; VViiistcd, i:ir, 
New York and New JOnylaiid Railroad, 94 
New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, 

double tracks Naufiatiiek Division, 30 
New York. New Ha\en & Hartford Railroad, 

improvements on. 03 
New York, New Haven i Hartford Railroad, 

viaduct. '.',2 
Noera Mannfactnrinu ( uiH|iany. T.Kj, ;i2:.' 
Nosahogan I'iscalorial AsxM-iation, 390 
Notre Dame. Academy d. x" 
Novelty Maiuifacturin;^ ('om|iany, 330 

(lakville Cunii v. I'lie. 19.->, 339 

Odd Fell,. ws, :.'.-, 1 

Odd Fellows Hall de.licalcl. 353 

Old Home Week, 44 

Old Home Week, addresses by Revs. Daven- 
port, Buckley. Anderson, Fitzsitnons, Cap- 
tain Wolrt', Mayor Scully, and others, 48; 
celebrations, banciuets and parades in hon- 
or of Goverimr Holcomb and other notables. 
Colonel (ieddes, grand marshal, 48; chil- 
dren's parade. 4T; iledicatioii of new city 
hall, 47 

O'Neil & Warner, 19:i 

One thousand bands employed. 339 

Open Air School, tlie, 7H 

Open air sports, 55 

Oratorio performances, 399 

Order of Heptasopbs, 3(11 

Order of Owls. 364 

Order of the Silver Star, 305 

Order of United Amt^iican Meelianics, 363 

Our Lady of Lonrdes I'arish. 139 

Over Age classes. 76 

Panneton, George, 198 

Paper making. 373 

Park appropriations, Waterbury, 53 

Park Bonds, Waterbury's, 10 

Park property, valuation of, Waterbury, 55 

Parks and cemeteries, Waterbury, 53 

Parks, Torrington's, 403 

Parochial Schools. Waterbury. HO 

Patrick Sarsfield Club, 397 

Patriotic Societies, 396 

Patriotic and Social Clubs, 385 

Patrons of Husbandry, 265 

Pavement record, Torrington, 404 

Paving Bon<Is, Waterbury, 10 

Peasley, James A.. 13 

Pension Fund, Waterburv police department, 

15 
Pliilanthropy, etc., 370 

Physical training in Waterburv schonis, 68 
PilUng Brass Co.. 196. 317 
Piu Companies. The. 337 
Pine Grove Cemetery. 59: trustees of, 60 
Pins, needles, hooks and eyes. 187, 324 
Pitch Brook reservoir, I'rnspeetive. 33 
Piatt. Lewis A.. 13 
Piatt, A. & Co.. 320 
Piatt Brothers & Co., 193. 319 
Playgrounds. 53; lirst community. 6s 
Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Co,. 190, 199, 

314. 339 
Poll's Theati'r, 303 
Vol. 1—29 



Pidice, Deiiartrni'Ut of, l."i, private. 16; super- 
iiiteiiileiits (if, 31; modcin ipiarters in new 
Citv Hall, 4.-, 

Puller (■.,mnii-i,,H.r-, l:..anl ..I. 1 .", 

P.. lie- l-.Av.v^r. t.-, 

P.. lire prns,,,,, i,|,,.l, 1.-, 
I'..llrr lrMT\r fund. i:. 
I'niirr -l;;ri;ll -\-lrni, the I J; ■\M-I1. 1.". 

Poii.r and liredcparOiierits. Winstc'd, 413 

Population, ;;rowtli of Waterbury's. 31 

Population of Torrington, 385 

Porter adiege Bequest, the David C, 83 

Postollice. The old Waterbury, 50; in Odd Fel- 
lows Building. 50; site of new building, 
50; guaranty fund. 50; growth of, 51 

Postollice, new, Nangatuck. 361 

Postal (Udiveries. 51 

Postal routes and postal carriers. 51 

Postal savings department, 51 

Postal substations, 51 

Postnuisters of Waterbury, 51 

Princess Theater, 304 

Probate, .Judges of. since 1893, 13 

Professional and Business Clubs, 385 

Proprietors, Connnon, 53 

Protestant churches. Waterbury, 107 

Public Health, Dejiartment of, 5; commis- 
sioners of. 39 

Publi.; Safetv. Board of 5, 15 

Public Work's, Board of, 5 

Public, private and parochial schools. 61 

Public utilities. Naugatuck. 360 

Pupils. Enumeration of School, 61 

Purification tanks and sewage disposal. Wa- 
terbuiv, 35 



(,lueen 



l)ani;liter>, 17s 



Railroad ccmtests, Waterbiuy's, 98 

Railroad viaduct, 33 

Randolph & Clowes Company. 194, 199. 215 

l\:ipid growth of Torrington, 385 

Rare editions in Library. 85 

Recent Insurance History of Waterbury, 155 

Reeves, Francis T,. 11. 13 

Reforms, etc., 370 

Recreation Rod and Gun Club, 393 

Red Cross, Libertv Loans, etc.. 316 

Red Men. Order of, 361 

Red Mountain. 387 

Representatives. Waterbury's. to State Leg- 
islature. 13 

Reservoirs, built and prospective. 33 

Reservoirs for water supplv. 30 

Rialto Theater. 304 

Riggs, G. G., 198 

Riots. Street Car, 17. 18 

Riverside Cemetery. 53; Waterbury's oldest 
burial plot. 58; trustees, 50 

Riverside Drive, improvements on. 54 

Rochambeau, Monuments to, 317 

Rogers & Brother, 196. 337 

Rogers & Hamilton Companv. 337 

Root. .Tudge Charles G.. 4 

Rowbottom Machine Company, 191. 333 

Royal .\rcanum. 365 

Rubber industry, the, 346 

Rubber industry at Beacon Kails. 353 

Rural Routes, 51 

Russell School, the. 65 



442 



INDEX 



St. Ann's cliurch, Watcibury, 126 

St. O'cilia's parisli, 137 

St. Francis Xavicr parish, 128 

St. .James' Protestant Episcopal church, Win- 
stod, 433 

St. .John's Episcopal church, Waterbury, 112 

St. .foscph's cemeteries, old and new, 59 

St .luscpirs parish, 138 

St. .\hn.i:^nvt"s parisli, 130 

St. .\l:uj;:uct's School for Girls, 79 

St. Mary's Hospital, 1G4 

St. Mary's Parochial Soliool, SO 

St. Patrick's cliurcli. Waterbury, 124 

St. Paul's Episcopal church, Waterville, 114 

St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, Water- 
bury. 115 

St. Stanislaus parish, l.'Sl 

St. Thomas' Catholic church, Thomaston, 381 

St. Thomas parisli, Waterbury, 139 

Sacred Heart church, Waterbury, 125 

Sacred Heart Convent, 80 

Saengerfests in Waterbury, 301 

Salvation Army, 178 

Sandland. William II.. 11. 12 

Savinjfs Bunks, 147 

Savings Kecords, 148 

School, The Continuation, 76; the open air, 
78: the salesmanship, 78; the vocational, 

School additions in 1910. Waterbury, 68 

School and city governments, consolidation 
of, G.-! 

School Bonds. Waterbury, 10 

School Census, 61; in 1904, 66; in 1907, 67; 
in 1912. 69; in 1917, 82 

School conditions in 1911 described by super- 
intendent, 68 

School districts, consolidation of, 4, 5 

School enumeration in 1916, Waterbury, 72 

School enrollment. Torrington's. 385 

School expens(-s, Waterbury. 62 

School property, value of, Waterbury, 74 

School registration. 1917. 83; medical inspec- 
tion, 83 

School report of superintendent in 1913, 69 

School rooms, number of. 61 

School taxation, 62 

Schools, Waterbury, 61; crowded conditions 
of, 66; physical training in. 68; superin- 
tendent given full control of. 71; new, in 
1915, 73; parochial, 80; private, 79 

Schools of Watertown, 341; of Naugatuck, 
353; of Seymour. 367; of Torrington, 393 

Scovill House, 156 

Scovill .Manufacturing Co.. 194. 199, 204; 
private jmlice of, 16 

Scovill Park donations. 55 

Scully Martin. 11, 12. 16 

Second Advent Cliristian Church of Water- 
bury, 119 

Second Baptist church of Waterbury, 118 

Second Church, Congregational, 109 

Second Congregational church. Winsted, 420 

Senators. Waterbury's. to the state legisla- 
ture, 13 

Seth Thomas, 383 

Sewage, bonds. 10; pollution and damages 
recovered, 35; disposal. 30; plan for plant, 
35 



Sewer construction, 20; during last twenty- 
five years, 37 
Sewers, principal, 36 
Seymour Smith & Son, Inc., 334 
Seymour churches, 364 
.Seymour Electric Light Co., 374 
Seymour Public Library, 368 
Seymour Record, The, .364, 375 
Seymour schools, 367 
Seymour, the town of, 364 
Seymour Water Co., 374 
Seymour's Bank, 368 
Seymour's Fire Department, 375 
Seymour'.s Manufacturing interests, 368 
Seymour's Park and monument, 375 
Seymour's three names, 364 
Seymour's town officers, 376 
.Shepherds of Bethlehem, 363 
Sherifl's, city of Waterbury, 13 
Slioe Hardware Co.. 190, 319 
Silk Induslny in Winsted, 431 
Simonsville Manufacturing Co., 223 

Site of Waterbury, 30 

Skating rink, Waterbury, 53 

Sled Haul Brook Tablet. 47 

Slocuin.Very Kev. William .T.. 59, 132 

Sloeum school plans, 70 
Small-wire <lrawing, 240 

Smith. .T. E. & Co., 195 

Smith's Hotel. 160 

Smith & Griggs Manufacturing Co., 196, 319 

Siiagg. Samuel C. 23; report of, 22, 23; biog- 
raphy of, 27 

Snap buttons, etc., 336 

.Snap fasteners, buckles, etc., 341 

Social Service Club, Waterbury. 171 

Social Clubs. Waterbury, 285 

Societies, Seymour, 376 

Soldiers' Jloiuiment. Waterbury. 56 

Soldiers' Monument, Watertown. 344 

Soldiers to Ticonderoga. 409 

Somers Co.. Inc., 323 

Sons of St. George, 263 

Sons of Veterans, 296 

Southmayd Home, 176 

Stmth :\ietliodist Episcojial and West Side 
Hill Cliurches, 116 

Spanish American War celebration, 313 

Sporting Organizations, 293 

Sprague School, the. 66; fire of the, 70; gym- 
nasium, 71 

Spring Lake Ice Company, 243 

Stafl'ord House. 160 

Stag Hotel, 160 

Standard Electric Time Company, 244 

Standard Engineering Company, 197 

Stanley Park, 53 

State Free Employment Bureau, 187 

State LK'gislatiue. representatives of Water- 
bury to. 13 

Steele's Brook bridge. 32 

Steele & .lohnson Manufacturing Company. 

193, 218 
Strand Theater, 304 
Stratton Hotel. 156 

Streets, widening and reconstruction of, Wa- 
terbury. 31 
Strike. s"treet car. of 1903. 17 



INDEX 



443 



Supciiiiti'iidfnt of Watpibury schools in full 
charge of physical as well as educational 
end of system, 71 

Supi'iior CVniit for New Haven County, 49 

Swc<li>li Baptist Tabernacle. Hs 

Swp.lish Evangelical Lutheran Zioii Church of 
Watorbury, 119 

Swedish Societies. 3GG 

.Swiniiriing ]iooI, Waterburv's public, 53 

Sympliony and I'liilharnioiii.- oii-hestras, 298 

Tanneries, -i:.'? 

Taxation of schools. 63 

Tax collectors. City, since 1893, 12. 13 

Tax rate for twenty-live years, 8, 9 

Teachers, the training school fi>r. 0.5 

Telegratih companies, tOO 

Telephone ailvaiicenieni . lli:i 

Teleplioi Nchanj;.'. tlic lir-( in (lie world, 

103 
Teleplioiic. list (,f subscribers, II):; 
Tc Icphoiu' managers of Waterbury, 105 
'l"ide|)honi'. ])reseHt c<iui|inient, lOM 
Telephone, The. in ('.mnecticnt. 101 
Tenijierance niovi'nicnt. The. ;iso 
Tennis courts, c.iiniiuiiity. Cs 
Tennis grounds. 54 
Terrv. Kli, 381 

Theaters and aniatcMir draniati.s. :;01 
Third Cliurch. I ',.n;;rci;Mti(.nal. \Vat<-rhury, 

110 
Thomastoii. town n( ( 'hickniakcrs. 377 
Thomaston's industrial development. 381 
Phoniaston's town historv, 378 
Thomas, Scth. 383 
Thomas, Seth, Clock Co., 384 
■['horns, William E., 11. 14 
Thoroughfares. Construction oi principal. 30 
Tinker. B. W.. sketch of. 80 
Ticrncv, Rev. Mi(4iael. 59 
Torringford Settlement 389 
Torrington churclies, 394 
Torrington geographically. 387 
I'orrington Library. 399 
Torrington News, The, 401 
Torrinnton Register. The. 401 
Torrington's Banks, 398 
'l'<n'rington's borough historv. 403 
Torrington's cemeteries. 403 
Torrington's chamber of commerce, 399 
Torrington's Elks Clubhouse, 403 
Torrington's first highways, 389 
Torrington's industrial expansion, 391 
Torrington's larger industries. 3Si; 
'Torrington's newspapers. 401 
Torrington's parks, 403 
Torrington's ra|)id growth, 385 
Torrington's schools, 393 
Torrington's Y. JL C. A., 400 
Town Clerks, 'Waterbury. 13 
'Town officers, Seymour's, 371) 
Town plot school district. 'The. l".4 
Town's cemetery, liO 
'Tracy, Cornelius, 13 
Training School for Teachers, (ij 
Transportation and communication, 92 
Transportation. Seymour's, 375 
Treasurers since 1893. eitv of Waterb\iry, 13 
Trinity Episcopal church'. Thomaston. 380; 

Waterburv, 113 



'I'rolley catastrophe of 1907. 93; strike of 
1903, 17; report on by cliief of police, 19; 
expense of, 20 

Trcdh'V systi'ui. cxpan-ioii ,.|'. '.Ml; managers 



■ t. K 



I'lain, l-:o 



Union Chaiicl, Mil 

Union Station, 93 

Ciiions. Local, 308 

Cnitcd Charities. 175 

United Order of Ooldcn (loss. 3154 

Unite, [ nr(h'r of I'il-iini Fathers, 304 



\ illa^ 

\nrat 

\'.,t,- 

WadI 

Wage 

Wal 

War 

War 

War 

Wat.' 

Wasi! 

Wate 

Watc 

Watc 

Wat, 

Wat. 

Wat.' 

Wat.' 

Wat, 

Wat.' 

Watc 

Wat,. 

Wat.' 

Wat,. 

Watc 

Wate 

W;itc 

Wat,' 

Wat, 

\\;it,. 



lHi|ir.i\,'iii,'nt S,,ru-t\-. Wat,'rtown. 344 
.iial S,li,i,d. the tu'w'. ::i 
II ,May,,r. Isy31917. 11, 13 



I'ost. (J. A. B.. 395 
1 Kainers. 18S 
li School, til,'. 05 
an,l Military Actisiti,'-. 313 
l'"un,ls, 310 

r('li,'s. revolutionary an. I civil. 90 
■hes. .-l.i.'ks. pins. el.-.. 334 
lington llonsi'. The Ccn.'ral. :')03 
r lioiids. Waterbniy. 10 
•r re.s.iiM-i-es of tin- Naiigatuck valley, 38 
■r Svsl,'ni. :;o, 33 
■I- tow,i ,.11 Hill Str,',-t. 34 
■iIpin \ .\iiicric-an. The. 307 
rliiirv .\ntomobile Clul). 390 
il.ur\ liatterv Coiiipanv. 193, 339 
'rbiir\ liovs' Clnb, 37:!' 
■rlmiy Hu'ilding Tra.h's ( '..iiii.il. 307 
■rbiiry liia-.s (^'ompaiiy. 193 
rbiirx I'.iass & Hroii/'i- (,iiiipan\. 197 
rbinv liiass (io,,d-, C.iiipanv. 190, 317 
•li.ui.v l!ii,-kl,' Company. 19'7, 321 
rbiiix Butt, 111 C<mipany. 195 
ibury I'astiiigs Coinpaiiy. 190. 235 
rbnry Clearing Hous,'. 147 
rbuiv Clo,k Conipanv, 187. 193. 325 
rl.iiiy Club. Tlie. 3S'^ 
rliiii \ I ',.1 poiat ion-. a,tiM' an, I lapseil. 



Wat,'rliuiv C.uiuil. X,., 31, K, \ S. M.. 248 
Wat,'ibiii'\ rnu-ible Cinipain. 195. 343 
Waterbury Cutlery Company. 193. 341 
Wat.'rbury Day Nursery. 175 
Waterburv Democrat, 'i'lii', 30; 
Wat.'rbury-nerby Barge Canal I'rojeet. 30. 40 
Waterbury Driving .-Association. 290 
Waterburv FarrelFonndiy Company, 230 
Waterbury Karicl Foundry i !Machine Com- 
pany, 191 
Waterbury I''ouii.li\ C.iiiipany, 198, 335 
Waterbury Hospital. 101 
Waterburv lee Coiporation, 343 
Waterbury in State Affairs. 319 
Waterbury Instrument C<mipany. 342 
Waterbury .fewel C^mipany. 240 
AVaterburv I.,iimber & Coal Com])any, 198 
Waterbury Machine Company, 193. '230 
Waterbury Manufacturing Company. 193 
Waterburv :Masonic .\i,l Association. 249 
Waterbury Masonic Ti'inple, 250 
Wat<'rburv Metal Wares Companv, 223 
Waterbur'v Nati.mal Bank, 154 
Waterburv Bap.-r Box C..iiiiiaiiv. 195, 338 
Waterburv I>i*t.-.l nii.I lliih- ( liib. 394 



4M 



INDEX 



Watfibiiry Prt-ssed iletal and Tool Compiiny, 

236 
Waterbury Republican, The, 308 
VVateibury Rolling Mills, 196, 216 
Waterbury Savings Bank, 150 
Waterbury Standard Tool f)ompany, 236 
Waterbury Superior Court, 49 
W iterbury Tool Company, 197, 232 
Waterbury Traction Company, 96 
Waterbury Trust Company, 154 
Waterbury Welding Company, 198 
Waterbury Women's Club, 292 
Waterbury's Catliolie Churches, 122 
Waterbury's housing problem, 141 
Waterbury's nearest neighbor, 346 
Watertown and its industries, 339 
Watertown Census, 345 
Watertown Church History, 340 
Watertown, D. A. R., 345 
Watertown Fire Department, 344 
Watertown industrial development, 342 
Watertown Library, 342 
Watertown Schools, 341 
Watertown Town Officials, 345 
Waterville Cemetery, 60 
Watervillo Chapel, 'l21 
Waterville Corporation, 193 
Webster & Briggman, 197 
Webster, Daniel F., 11, 13 
Webster School, improvements on, 67 
Weekly and Monthly Press, The, 310 
Welch i H. L. Hosier v Company, 242 
Wells, A. H. & Company, 194, 216 
Welton Fountain, the, 58 
Westover school, the. 79 
West Side Savings Bank. 153 
Whipping [wst, 411 
White, L. C. Companv. 232 
White & Wells Company, The. 239 
Whittemoro Bridge. The, 357 



Whitteniore (Jilts. The. 358 

Whittemore. .lohn H.. 37 

Whittemore Memorial Library, 354 

Wigwam Reservoirs. 33 

Williv High Soliool, the new. 81 

Wilby. Stoplicn W., sketch of, 81 

\\ iliianis Sealing Corporation, 240 

Wilmot, Robert, 198 

Winchester Center Congregational Church, 

421 
Winchester merged, 406 
Windermere Park, 52 
Windsor Hotel, 160 
Windsiir Land Claim, 407 
W instcd Banks. 434 
Winsird Club. The, 434 
W iii-tcl History from Colonial Days, 40G 
W in>tcd in the Hills, 405 
\\ instcd lighting system, 414 
Winstcd newspaper history, 425 
Wiiisted Sc-ho(ds. History of, 414 
Winstcd Sewer Svstem. 414 
Winstcd V. M. C.'A.. 434 
W insti'd's Cluirch History, 419 
Winstcd's Industrial Development, 437 
W insted's public library, 417 
Winsted Silk Co., The, 431 
\\ ire-drawing dies, 240 
Wire-working machinery, 236 
Wolcott, Governor, 388" 
Wolcottville, 388 
W. C. T. U.. 282 

Women's Clubs and Associations, 293 
Woodmen of the World. 262 
Workmen's Circle, 263 
Woikmen's Compensation Law, 189 

Young. Alden M., 105 

y. M. C. A., etc.. Naugatuck. 362; Torring- 
ton, 400: Waterbury. 270; Winsted, 434 



H 88 78 






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